Quite a bit has been made about the yellow card, which Wayne Rooney received in a friendly training game against the Platinum Stars. He received the yellow for dissent, after apparently swearing at the referee.

Rooney received eight yellow cards during the 2009/10 season, whilst playing for both Manchester United and England. After receiving a yellow in a friendly ahead of the World Cup, his temperament is being questioned again.

To be fair, he does have a track record of losing his temper and getting sent off but making such a big deal about it just before the World Cup won’t help. Now everyone will be watching what Rooney does/says and the referee’s will have it in the back of their minds again.

Rooney’s obviously worked hard on trying to control his temper but what’s wound me up is the way the referee has handled himself after the game. There is no need for him to come out to the press.

You don’t normally see referees come out and say why they showed a player a yellow card but the South African referee Jeff Selogilwe has done exactly that. Maybe referees should explain themselves sometimes but not after friendly games for a yellow card.

Speaking on the phone to The Associated Press, Selogilwe said: "I said, 'No, Rooney, you don't use that word again. ... He was so aggressive'"

"I was very much disappointed because Wayne Rooney is my role-model player."

I watched that game, Rooney was frustrated but he did nothing for that referee to turn round and say that he’s disappointed in him. I’ve also seen Wayne Rooney a lot more aggressive than that!

The referee also spoke to the BBC, telling them that he had asked Rooney if he could have his shirt after the game. But after that caution, he told the striker: "You can keep your shirt.”

Judging by his reaction to being booked, he wouldn’t have given it to him anyway!

Aston Villa’s Emile Heskey was also booked, nothing has been made about that. The USA have already said that they will target Rooney, he now has to keep his temper under control.

So the media have made such a big deal about this one yellow card, the referee has brought more attention to it and it now wouldn’t surprise me to see Rooney sent off at the World Cup and vilified. I know Rooney's is no saint and he shouldn't have got wound up but this really won't help.

With the World Cup only days away England go into the competition as one of the World Cup favourites, if we are to succeed Wayne Rooney and the rest of the squad will have to be on top form.

Not only has Rooney been vital for Man United but he also plays a massive role for England. A lot of pressure will be on his shoulders this summer!

Man United legend Roy Keane believes, along with most of the nation, that if England are to lift the cup then Rooney will be the main man who makes that happen.

"A lot will depend on Wayne Rooney. He's had a long, hard season but if he's had a rest and can produce his top form then England have a chance."

England expects Rooney to perform; one pub has even asked 100 of it’s bar staff to change their names to Wayne Rooney.

"We have over 100 Wayne Rooneys working throughout the country for the whole of the World Cup and I'm glad to say that we have 10 Fabio Capellos keeping them in control,” Clover Taverns’ managing director Andy Wilkinson said.

I’m really hoping Rooney can have a successful World Cup. The last thing we want is for him to lose his temper or make a mistake that costs England and them have him vilified by England fans for the whole of the next season.

Own goal played a massive part for Man United last season; it also played a big part in England's final friendly game ahead of the World Cup against Japan. Both Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney started for England with Michael Carrick playing no part in the game.

Japan took an early lead through Marcus Tulio Tanaka after some poor defending by England from a corner.

England’s first descent chance came after Rooney found himself in some space in the Japanese half. He fed the ball to Tottenham's Aaron Lennon down the left, who should have done better. Rooney had a very frustrating, sloppy first half, like most of the England team. Saying that he was trying to get England back into the game.

Ferdinand didn't have a bad game but he did have a bit of scare 19 minutes in. After a nudge, he miss kicked the ball but fortunately for the away side, the shot from the miss kick was well over the bar. He was also involved in one of England's better chances in the first half after his brilliant long ball into the Japan penalty area ended in a bad miss by Sunderland's Darren Bent.

After an awful first half from England, manager Fabio Capello made five chances for the start of the second half, both Rooney and Ferdinand stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

Early into the second half it looked like Ferdinand could have picked up a slight thigh injury after challenging for the ball. He carried on the rest of the game without too many troubles.

England were awarded a penalty after a freekick was handled in the area. Chelsea’s Frank Lampard stepped up and hit a poor penalty, which was saved. If England are awarded a penalty in the World Cup, will Rooney take them?

Rooney started getting frustrated, as he does and there was one moment where he seemed to lose his head. Rooney calmed down and instead he concentrated on helping to get England back into the game.

With 68 minutes on the clock Rooney found some space and unleashed a beautiful right-footed strike, which forced a brilliant save from the keeper. Minutes later England equalised after Tanaka headed past his own keeper, the assist goes to Joe Cole.

The final goal of the game was scored yet again by own goal. Chelsea’s Ashley Cole sent the ball into the area from England’s left, it took a slight deflection and slid in past the keeper.

The game finished Japan 1-2 England in Austria. Both Rooney and Ferdinand will be going to the World Cup in South Africa; it’s not looking so hopeful for United’s Michael Carrick. After a poor game against Mexico he played no part in today’s game, which may spell the end of his World Cup campaign.

Three Man United players were involved in England’s unconvincing 3-1 win over Mexico at Wembley this evening.

Rio Ferdinand led out England as skipper but it didn't get off to the best of starts. Defensively England looked disorganised and shaky, especially during the first 10/15 minutes. Ferdinand was taken off at halftime, replaced by Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher.

Michael Carrick had been poor for Man United during the 09/10 got off to a poor start at Wembley; he couldn’t take control of the game and was substituted in the 62nd minute. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he isn’t named in the 23 man squad, who will travel to South Africa for the World Cup.

Surprisingly Wayne Rooney played the full 90 minutes, which was a risk considering it is a friendly and the criticism that the Wembley Turf has had over recent weeks. Rooney didn’t have a stand out game but he did have one or two good chances at goal.

We didn’t really see much from United’s potential new signing (subject to a work permit) Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez. Saying that Mexican did look lively on and off the ball and was involved in some good play. He did have a shot at goal but he didn’t get the opportunities on goal that he would get whilst playing at United.

England won the game 3-1 with goals from Ledley King, Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson for England. Guillermo Franco scored for Mexico.

Other reds in action today were Luis Nani, who played in Portugal’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Cape Verde Islands. Ji-Sung Park played in South Korea’s 2-0 win over England’s next friendly opponents Japan.

Wayne Rooney limped away from Old Trafford after United’s massive win against Liverpool over the weekend. He is set to be rested this weekend as Man United take on Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Rooney has been suffering from an inflamed tendon ever since playing two matches at Wembley in a matter of days. Rooney had played an hour on the Wembley turf for United in the Carling Cup final, four days later he played 86 minutes for England in a friendly against Egypt. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson blamed the Wembley pitch for the injury.

It isn’t serious enough to stop him playing for United but it does swell up after matches. It had been believed that the injury would have cleared up within a month, but the problem doesn’t look like it is going away.

This could be massive injury news for both Manchester United and England. With United looking to win the Premier League title and Champions League title and England going to the Word Cup in the summer, this could be a nightmare for both teams.

The last thing Man United need now is our top scorer not being able to play during the vital run in. Not only that, England fans won’t want to see him out injured either.

Owen Hargreaves made his comeback for Man United playing 45 minutes for United’s reserves against Burnley reserves last Thursday. Hargreaves has said that he still believes there is a chance he could get into Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Hargreaves must concentrate on Man United, not England or the World Cup.

"We deserve some service from out of him," said Ferguson.

"Talk about World Cups? He has been out for a year and a half.
"There is nothing wrong with talking about it but he should be concentrating on playing for Manchester United."

Sir Alex went on to say that Hargreaves will need a few more games with United’s reserves before he can make a first team comeback.

"I am delighted for him"

"He has been out of the game for 18 months, which is very difficult.
"He will need a couple of games more with the reserves.

"After that he should be back in the first-team squad. It is a good one to get at this time of the season."

No matter what happens with Hargreaves and England, it is fantastic to see him back, especially after such a long layoff. It’s not nice to see any footballer out of the game for so long, I’m just hoping he can stay fit from now on.

Man United striker Wayne Rooney is a major injury doubt for England’s friendly against Egypt this Wednesday.

Rooney came on for United just before half time in the Carling Cup match against Aston Villa today scoring the winning goal, he did finish the game and there was no reason to believe that he picked up an injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Rooney was feeling some slight discomfort in his knee after the game.

Sir Alex said: "He [Rooney] got a whack right away”


"He has been complaining a little about that for a few weeks and was holding it a bit today. In fact I thought we might have to take him off but he wanted to stay on so it was good. The doctors are assessing it and I don't know what England are going to do.''

This is a pointless friendly for Rooney, we all know that if he is fit Fabio Capello will chose him to play for England. He doesn’t need to prove anything so why risk him for a friendly? Neither Man United or England want their star striker to pick up an injury.

Both Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen scored for Man United against West Ham on Tuesday night. We are getting used to seeing Rooney score but after Owen stuck the ball into the back of the net, there have been calls for Owen to be named in the England World Cup squad.

England manager Fabio Capello has been speaking about both of the United men, one of which should definitely be going to the World Cup, the other one is a long shot.

Capello on Rooney:

"Wayne is an extraordinary player, he is talented and willing to learn," Capello told Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport. "[Sir Alex] Ferguson has taught him so much while I've only had to polish him.
"I have told him that he must make sure he plays inside the box and he must continue to score goals. The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United has given Rooney more responsibility and he is now integral to their plans."

Capello on Owen:

"One of the players (the fans) would like to see me select is Owen"  
"He is one of the best English goalscorers of all-time but if he doesn't play, I cannot pick him."

Rooney is a certainty for me to go but I have to agree with Capello on the Owen situation. Owen hasn’t been playing much for United, I would have liked to see more of him but Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t going to stick him in the team for England’s sake.

After John Terry was stripped of the England captaincy on Friday, it was awarded to Rio Ferdinand. Many associated with Man United have come out to say that Ferdinand was the right choice and they believe he is the right successor.

Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said:

"We are pleased for him and it's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining our country”
"Over the years we've had Gary (Neville), Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson for 60-odd games or something so we're very proud of that."

Man United captain Gary Neville said:

"It's a great honour to captain your country”
"Rio's done very well for England over a long time and he's vice-captain so he was the natural successor. It's great for the club to have an England captain."

Ferdinand’s team-mate Michael Carrick said:

"Rio's a terrific leader and a terrific captain. He's a world-class player”

"He's done it in the Champions League final and won it, so it won't faze him in that respect.
"Rio has the respect of the players and that's an important thing so I'm sure he'll be successful.
"Once you're on the pitch you've all got to lead in some way so I don't think it will affect things too much."

Ferdinand’s former team-mate (now Ipswich manager) Roy Keane said:

"Rio will be a good captain, of course he will be”
"He's a top player and has been for a long time and he will bring different qualities (to the captaincy)."

They may have been happy to praise Ferdinand and speak about the England captaincy but the England manager Fabio Capello didn’t want to talk about it.

He said: "I want to speak about this but first I want to speak with Rio and the other players.
"We will speak about the new captain then. Usually I prefer to speak with the players, not the journalists. I understand you but you have to understand me."

When asked when he was going to talk to Ferdinand about it, Capello replied: "March".

Last night Man United striker Wayne Rooney pulled out of the England squad to play Belarus after picking up a calf strain. Rooney played the whole 90 minutes for England in their 1-0 defeat to Ukraine and there were no signs of an injury then.

It was announced that Rooney picked up the injury during the loss and he will now return to Man United having been assessed by the medical staff.

England have already qualified for the World Cup so it isn’t a big blow for the country but it could be for United.

Hopefully Rooney will have recovered by this weekend when we take on Bolton. The last thing we need right now is him injured.

Man United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher was asked by Scotland manager George Burley not to play in the Community Shield match. Fletcher did play and he is also saying that he didn’t choose Man United over Scotland.

Burley reportedly told his Scotland squad to focus on the World Cup Qualifiers and not the pre-season friendlies. Fletcher believes that if he said no to playing in the Community Shield game then it would put him down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

"The Scotland manager obviously asked me about not playing but I want to play as many games as I can," Fletcher told the Daily Record.

"I've got to try to win a place in the United team and there is a lot of competition around the squad."

"I don't want to be skipping United games but I was always going to be available for Scotland," he added.

"That was always going to be the case.

"There was never any doubt. But I've also always got to concentrate on my club career and they [international and club career] both go hand in hand."

I don’t think players should be put in that position, I know that playing for your club is important and so is playing for your country. If Fletcher wants to carry on playing for Scotland then he needs first team football, if he wants first team football then he has to play matches for United.

Four Manchester United players have been named in the England squad to play Holland this Wednesday. Man United striker Michael Owen has been left out of the squad which might not be such a bad thing. Owen seems to get injured he plays for England.

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Paul Robinson, Rob Green.

Defenders: Wayne Bridge, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Matthew Upson,

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Young.

Strikers: Carlton Cole, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney