Back Rooney

Sir Alex Ferguson must rue the day that Mark Halsey’s injury caused him to be replaced by Steve Bennett for the Manchester derby which United lost 3-1 – and he isn’t the only one.

Bennett, to put it mildly, did not have a particularly good game, despite being one of the premiership’s most experienced referees. For many people his inadequacy was typified by his harsh dismissal of Christiano Ronaldo in the 66th minute for a rash challenge. An impetuous decision, but almost insignificant compared to his treatment of Wayne Rooney.

The first half was drawing to a close when Manchester City’s Stephen Jordan raked Rooney’s shin wide on the right – a clear foul which some officials might even have considered worthy of a yellow card. To Rooney’s amazement, Mr Bennett took no action but moments later was quick to book the Manchester United striker for dissent – a response which incensed both player and manager and provoked the foul-mouthed tirade directed at the referee in the tunnel and, allegedly, damage to a dressing room door.

The effect of all this may be far reaching. For several weeks Wayne Rooney has fought to bring a greater measure of control to his game – something of which he was not thought capable. He has confounded the critics with his new found maturity – a development which, until last weekend, had virtually eliminated dissent and undue aggression without in any way detracting from his competitiveness or the undoubted quality of his technical performance. The results were there for all to see, both in premiership games and in England matches. It was an extraordinary achievement for a player of his age and many people were daring to hope that the effect would be permanent.

Unfortunately, in the heat of a Manchester derby, circumstances arose that changed all that and the referee’s decisions were primarily responsible for effecting that change.

Wayne Rooney will regret losing control and he will strive to ensure that this lapse is not repeated. Given the kind of provocation he faces, and will continue to face in the future, that will not be easy, especially at his age. But it would be extremely unwise to bet against him.