Ferguson Tells Rooney to Stop Running About and Score More

Sir Alex Ferguson has placed Wayne Rooney under strict instructions to curtail his roaming instincts and stick to playing as a more orthodox center-forward. Rooney has scored only three goals since November and Ferguson is alarmed by the chances that have been squandered in Manchester United's recent matches.

While Rooney's profligacy could not be said to have affected the team during a run of six wins, Ferguson is troubled by the frequency with which the striker is popping up in different areas of the pitch.

"Wayne worked too hard on Wednesday," said the United manager, referring to the 2-0 defeat of Portsmouth. "That cost him the opportunity to get goals. He got involved in a lot of the build-up play and we said to him after the game that he didn't need to expend so much energy dropping back into midfield all the time."

Rooney has managed 10 goals this season, which puts him as the club's third highest scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 27, and Carlos Tevez, on 13. However, six of Rooney's goals came in a spell of five games in October. The England international has not scored at Old Trafford since November 7. "Don't worry, he'll be banging them in soon," Ferguson said. "Wayne has got such a wonderful appetite for the game. I just wish every player had the same appetite and desire to play."

United go to Tottenham today with Ferguson believing his team might have to go unbeaten for the rest of the season to win the league. "Chelsea have done it in the past and so have Arsenal, so we're taking nothing for granted. Maybe we'll have to do it because it's getting really tight now."

With four points separating the top three clubs, Ferguson has been keeping a close eye on the African Cup of Nations. "We all become selfish and I'm hoping it's an Ivory Coast versus Ghana final to keep the Arsenal and Chelsea players occupied. It's no use kidding - Avram Grant and Arsène Wenger know fine well what I'm hoping for. In fact, I hope it goes to extra-time, penalties and maybe even a replay."