MANCHESTER: All eyes will be on Wayne Rooney in the wake of another controversial week as Manchester United face West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday.
After a disappointing World Cup, the start to Rooney’s season has been dogged by poor form as well as lurid allegations about his private life.
He was left out of last month’s 3-3 draw at his former club Everton in the aftermath of reports that he paid prostitutes for sex while his wife was pregnant with their first child.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson then rested Rooney for a Champions League win in Valencia and a goalless draw at Sunderland because he felt the England international was struggling with an injury.
But Rooney apparently disagrees with that diagnosis and he this week claimed he hasn’t had any injury problems this season, sparking speculation about possible faultlines in his relationship with Ferguson.
Rooney, who has scored just once in the Premier League this season, has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid and there will be focus on any exchanges between Ferguson and his star striker on Saturday to determine the extent of their rift.
It is sure to overshadow a game that is hugely important to United, who have a chance to move to within two points of Chelsea ahead of the leaders’ Saturday evening clash at Aston Villa.
Having lost the title for the first time since 2006, midfielder Michael Carrick has revealed United’s desperation to bring the championship back to Old Trafford.
The England midfielder won the league in each of his first three campaigns and believes United are hugely motivated after last season’s disappointment.
Carrick said: "To win the league in my first season, to win it in my first three years, I was spoilt.
"Last year, it was so disappointing not to win four in a row when we had a good chance.
"That would have been something that maybe would never have been topped. It was a blow.
"But maybe that’s why no-one’s done it, because it is so hard to do. We were devastated that we hadn’t managed to do it."
Ferguson could involve Owen Hargreaves for the first time this season after two years of knee problems.
Hargreaves made a brief appearance as a substitute at Sunderland at the end of last season but it is reported the England defensive midfielder sees this as his last attempt at a comeback.
Ferguson may also recall Ryan Giggs after a hamstring problem but Antonio Valencia is sidelined with a long-term ankle injury.
West Brom head to Old Trafford full of confidence and with a 3-2 victory at Arsenal having given manager Roberto Di Matteo more grounds for optimism.
West Brom look considerably more solid than in their last Premier League campaign and have lost just two of their seven matches to date.
Di Matteo said: "Our win at Arsenal probably gives the players a bit more belief and confidence in their own ability.
"But the attitude has always been very good, very positive and very committed from the players’ point of view.
"We’re going to United with a positive mindset like we have in all the games. We know it’s a difficult place to go.
"United have lost a few points away from home but they have been really unfortunate because they’ve conceded really late goals.
"If it wasn’t for that, they would probably be on the same points or just behind Chelsea."
