User:rorynoonanDate:07/03/2013Time:11:21:53Edition:07/03/2013ThuEchoThu070313Page:56Color:
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Evening Echo
Owen: Rooney choice limited
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Wayne Rooney.
MICHAEL OWEN believes Wayne Rooney could find himself lacking options if he severs ties with Manchester United at the end of the season. Some of the shock at Rooney’s axing for the Champions League defeat by Real Madrid on Tuesday night was tempered by how the tie turned against the Old Trafford men. But the Red Devils’ performance until Nani’s dismissal seemed to justify Alex Ferguson’s decision to drop the player who slapped in a transfer request in 2010 because he felt United’s squad was not good enough. Now he is the one finding himself being eased out, with Ferguson delivering the kind of snub that is usually followed by a hefty shove through the door marked exit.
SOCCER The only problem is, as Owen acknowledged, there are not many suitors out there. “Sometimes when you’re at the level he is at you don’t have many options,” Owen told TalkSPORT. “If you are a mediocre player you have 20 teams in England and aboard that you can move to. “If Wayne Rooney moves, where does he go to? Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Chelsea and PSG, there’s only half a dozen teams. “It’s just speculation though. “He’s been dropped for one game and I’m sure he will bounce back. “Obviously Wayne has got to get his head down now and start
recapturing his best form “He’s certainly got the right attitude and ability to get back into the manager’s thoughts.” Much interest will now be focused on Ferguson’s team selection for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea. Owen added: “For Rooney not to start is a real kick in the teeth and it’s got to be a big worry for him. “It’s the biggest game of the season and the manager has shuffled his pack and not included him. “Wayne will take it one of two ways. “He will either get his head down, try and improve and force his way back into the team, or he’ll think, ’the manager has not picked me for the biggest game, he obviously doesn’t fancy me’, and it might not be the end of the story.”
Cork keep the faith Cronin only likely change as Rebels look to build on win over Tipperary
THE Cork hurling team to play Waterford next Sunday in a crucial league encounter at Dungarvan is likely to feature the vast majority of the players who performed so well against Tipperary.
Cork selector Kieran Kingston.
Picture: David Keane
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A couple of players that the selectors had in mind for starting slots, Michael Cussen and Adrian Mannix in particular, are ruled out through injury while another, Seamus Harnedy, is rated doubtful as well. Luke O’Farrell, who featured on the side that comprehensively defeated Tipperary, is on the doubtful list too with a shoulder worry picked up in training on Tuesday night. Defensively, there is unlikely to be any change with the sextet that featured against Tipp getting the green light again. Daniel Kearney’s excellence at midfield in that match will ensure his retention at midfield while in attack Stephen Moylan will retain his place too after a positive outing two weeks ago. And team captain Patrick Cronin will definitely return to the starting 15 after his one-match suspension. Looking ahead to the game, Cork selector Kieran Kingston is hoping that the team can build still further on the
HURLING By JOHN HORGAN opening night performance. “Obviously, we were thrilled at the outcome of the Tipp game but at the same time we believe we can improve in certain things. “Firstly, we didn’t score a goal against Tipp or really threaten one and that’s something we have looked at. “We only drew the second half of that game after being so dominant early on so you could say that despite all the positives, there were a few negatives too.” Kingston believes this will be a key game in the campaign and two more points would be a huge bonus going forward. “A win on Sunday and it sets it up for the only home game left with Clare before we travel to Galway and Kilkenny. “It will be very difficult though because Waterford are traditionally hard to beat at home.’’ And on the plans going forward. “Over the coming weeks it would be our intention to look at as many players as possible but injuries or otherwise will dictate just exactly what we can do.’’
Cork’s Christopher Joyce tackles Tipp’s Lar Corbett in the recent league game. Picture: SPORTSFILE
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