• Premier League

Ban behind Rooney absence - Fergie

ESPN staff
October 15, 2011
Wayne Rooney came off the bench at Anfield © PA Photos
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he left Wayne Rooney out of the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday as the forward was left "devastated" by his three-match England ban.

Rooney is facing up to the prospect of missing the group stages of Euro 2012 and could well be forced to sit out the whole tournament if England manager Fabio Capello leaves him out of his squad, after UEFA hit him with a three-match ban for his sending off against Montenegro.

Ferguson said he expected UEFA to mete out the three-game ban, but claimed it left Rooney not in the right frame of mind to face the Reds at Anfield.

"Wayne was devastated at the suspension," said Ferguson. "He could miss the European Championships because there is no guarantee England are going to qualify (from their group). That is the nuts and bolts of it.

"England have found it very difficult to progress in major championships and for Wayne to get three matches, he could miss the whole thing."

David de Gea earned United a point with late saves to deny Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson and Ferguson was thrilled with his keeper.

"De Gea is a fantastic goalkeeper," said Ferguson. "He is so confident and composed for a 20-year-old."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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