Rooney could miss Liverpool clash

BBC News

Wayne Rooney could miss Manchester United's trip to Liverpool on Sunday with the calf injury that has ruled him out of the champions' last two games.

The 23-year-old striker has scored six goals in 10 games this season but has not played since England's defeat by Ukraine on 10 October.

"Unfortunately Rooney is still a doubt," said United boss Alex Ferguson.

"We will have to see today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday). If he trains on Saturday we will have a better idea."

Ferguson's side moved top of the Premier League, a point clear of Chelsea, with victory over Bolton last Saturday.

They already find themselves seven points above Rafael Benitez's men this term and victory at Anfield would extend that advantage to 10 points.

With four straight defeats in all competitions, including three in the league, Liverpool are enduring their worst run of results in 22 years.

The Anfield club have not lost five in a row for 56 years and their hopes of winning a first league title since 1990 appear to be receding.

But Benitez knows that a win would start a change of fortunes.

Benitez undecided over key duo

"As a manager you know that sometimes there will be good moments and bad moments, and at this time we know that we have to improve," he said.

"But it is only a matter of time. If we win a game then everything changes.

"This game against Manchester United is just the right opportunity. It is a massive game and the best way to regain confidence and to improve our situation is to win."

The Spaniard added: "I am relaxed in terms of my position. I know how we are working every day, the players know too. In the past we have been very good and the situation and players has not changed too much.

"We have done extra training sessions, the attitude of the players has been good and you could see how focused and positive they are."

Ferguson insisted he had no intention of writing Liverpool off but wanted instead to concentrate on the form of his own team.

Manchester United and Liverpool games are massive games - in my 23 years it has never changed, I think if you go to Anfield at any time it is a hard game

Sir Alex Ferguson

United are unbeaten since their defeat by newly-promoted Burnley on 19 August, with 10 victories and one draw propelling them into top spot.

"Derby games are derby games and anyone can win it," added Ferguson. "It has happened so many times and strange things can happen.

"I am not interested in their league form, I am more pleased with the kind of form we are in. We are consistent and that is important.

"I am more concerned about what we can do rather than them on Sunday."

Ferguson was quick to point out that, despite the emergence of Manchester City, he still considers Liverpool to be United's biggest rivals.

"Manchester United and Liverpool games, as I have said many times, are massive games," stated the Scot, whose side lost home and away to Liverpool last season. "That will never change.

"In my 23 years it has never changed and it is still a massive game and the game as far as I am concerned. I think if you go to Anfield at any time it is a hard game."

FOOTBALL BLOG
A Liverpool victory would bring calm to the troubles and a United win would inflict potentially fatal damage on a club Ferguson still sees as huge rivals

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty

Meanwhile former Reds manager Kenny Dalglish has given his full backing to Benitez, who recently signed a new four-year contract.

Some reports claimed Dalglish, Liverpool's academy director, had been lined up to take charge of the first team if American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett decided to sack Benitez.

But 58-year-old Dalglish rejected any such suggestions: "Everyone within the upper echelons of this club has no doubt whatsoever about Rafa - I know that for a fact.

"Everybody at Liverpool knows Rafa is the right man to get the club through this. No-one is pumped up and panicking in any way, shape or form.

"It's very important that everybody sticks together to get themselves through this."

Dalglish, who spent 14 years at Anfield as player and manager, added: "It is a bad run and the supporters feel it equally as badly as everyone at the club does.

"Everybody's accountable. When you have success everybody takes their fair share of the credit - and rightly so. So when it goes badly the same thing must apply in reverse"

Last year we beat Manchester United with Steven Gerrard only playing 20 minutes and Fernando Torres not playing at all - if we did it last year, why can't we do it this year?

Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish

Dalglish, manager of Liverpool the last time they experienced a run as dismal this, believes Benitez's men can beat United, even if captain Steven Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres are not fit to play.

"There's no way Liverpool and the majority of people would want Rafa to go anywhere," stated Dalglish.

"Remember last year (at Anfield) we beat Manchester United with Steven Gerrard only playing 20 minutes and Fernando Torres not playing at all. So if we did it last year, why can't we do it this year?"

Former Liverpool defender and BBC Sport pundit Alan Hansen thinks Liverpool will keep faith with Benitez but concedes their title chances will be all but over if they are beaten by United.

"It's been such a long time since they won the league you'd worry about Benitez future," said Hansen. "But Liverpool aren't a sacking club, they'll stick with him as long as they possibly can.

"Benitez has always been great when he's been under pressure at getting a result at the right time and if he gets a result on Sunday then it's all forgotten.

"But if they get beaten on Sunday it's conceivably all over and in the middle of October and that is catastrophic for this football club.
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