Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson: Wayne Rooney is getting there

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson: Wayne Rooney is getting there

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear that he is not at all bothered by Wayne Rooney’s current dry spell when it comes to goals. The England striker has only scored twice this season, and both goals came from the penalty spot.

Wayne Rooney last scored from open play for Manchester United against Bayern Munich in April in the first leg of the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. That was the game in which he suffered the ankle injury that kept him out for the rest of the season.

In United’s game against Sunderland on Boxing Day, Wayne Rooney looked to be in good touch but still could not get his name on the scoresheet – although he did almost score with an excellent chip. Instead it was his strike partner Dimitar Berbatov who continued his goal-scoring spree with two more goals, which took his season tally to 13.

Ferguson though has dismissed any suggestions that he should be worried about Rooney’s lack of goals.

"Wayne had a couple of tries today," said Ferguson after the match against Sunderland. "He was very unlucky with the chip and there were a couple of shots saved by the goalkeeper. He is getting there. The important thing is he is playing well. That is refreshing."

Meanwhile, the manager was happy with Berbatov’s performance, though he did express the view that the striker could have done even better.

“Dimitar could have scored four or five today,” said Ferguson. “He had some terrific opportunities. I was disappointed with the score at half-time. We hit the bar and the post. Their keeper has made a couple of good saves and we played some really good football. It was exciting stuff but then we just seemed to go into third gear.”

Manchester United next take on Birmingham City on Tuesday. Ferguson said that since Birmingham’s Boxing Day game against Everton was called off, they would be slightly out of touch and United would have an edge. United will be playing against Birmingham barely 48 hours after their Sunderland match.

Manchester United’s Nani is expected to be fit in time for the game on Tuesday. The Portuguese winger missed the Boxing Day match due to a hip injury. Darren Fletcher, who was out with a cold, is also expected to be back for the next game.

Update: The match between Manchester United and Birmingham City was drawn 1-1.