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Ferguson: Rooney will play his part

Wednesday, December 7, 2011 6:19 PM

Alex Ferguson has dismissed suggestions that Wayne Rooney might be distracted in Basel on Wednesday.

Ferguson scoffed at thoughts that the striker's impending UEFA appeal will have a negative effect on Manchester United when they face Basel in the Champions League.

With Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov out injured, Rooney is a key figure for United in what is a massive fixture, with a point still needed to qualify for the knockout stages.

On Thursday, he will find out whether his three-match ban for kicking an opponent during England’s qualifier against Montenegro will be reduced, which would let him play a greater part in Euro 2012.

But his club manager says any thoughts about the appeal will not be in his mind when he steps on to the pitch to take on the Swiss side.

"I don't think that comes into it at all," Ferguson told reporters when asked if the hearing was likely to affect Rooney's focus.

United go into the match hoping not to repeat their performance six years ago where they lost in Portugal to Benfica and crashed out at the group stages.

However, Ferguson is confident that history will not repeat itself once again.

"The side that played then was a very young team that suffered with a lot of injuries," he said.

"That period was disappointing. But it is six years ago. Our record since then has been outstanding."

"People say we are not doing well but we are second in the league and we are at a stage where we could be qualifying for the next phase of the Champions League. The pressure won't affect us."

"Look at the number of big games these players play in. Every year for the last few years they have been involved in finals and semi-finals and quarter-finals and big games in the Premier League."

"Wednesday is exactly the same situation. It is another big game. But we have a strong squad and that squad will see us through without question."

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