Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told Wayne Rooney to stop doing any promotional work for the Football Association.
After Rooney was not selected for Tuesday's crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid, speculation surrounding the England striker has been intense.
Ferguson has since insisted there are no issues between him and Rooney, and has also hinted that a new deal is likely.
The United boss then revealed that he has told Rooney to stop doing work for the FA when he is on England duty.
"I keep telling him he's too trusting," Ferguson is quoted by the Sunday Express.
"I told him, 'I don't know why you do things with the FA'. He does things every time he goes down there. He should not be doing anything with them.
"They've not helped him one bit. Every time he does anything (wrong), they punish him more than anyone in the game.
"He should be realising that. I wouldn't do a thing for the FA but they force him to do it."
However, the FA has defended its position, insisting Rooney is treated no differently than any other player on England duty.
"Wayne has not undertaken any commercial PAs (personal appearances) for the FA in the past 12 months and has not fulfilled any more media obligations than other senior squad members," said an FA spokesman.
"As with all England players, we look to ensure that media activity whilst on England duty is sensibly managed."
what do you think?
Diane Rogers
Who does he think he is. If you are privileged enough to be picked to play for England a bit of promotional work is nothing
Diane Rogers
Forgot good luck Chelsea
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weeflatch
The man is an embarrassment, for someone with such a successful track record at management he is starting to tarnish it with his childish outbursts! Like the red card the other night, he lost the plot after it as Madrid still had to score 2 goals in half an hour! Chelsea did it against Barcelona for a lot longer, so while he spat his venom the chosen one made a great tactile one bringing on Modric to exploit the space and hence won the game!
Martin Massey
Here we have another red jumping in last week he was attacking chelsea.
james
Nice too see the fergie bashing force is out again, especially like phils post comparing him too hitler. maybe benitez is stalin and mancini chairman mau. Fergies famous for not wanting players to play internationals can't blame him really all club managers are the same just everything to do with man u comes under more scrutiny
Chris King
Don't see what the problem is, if its an individual policy or club policy it is up to them what they want to do whether its Ferguson saying it, Mancini, or whoever.
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Pat TWOMEY
Obviously, Sir Alex forgets how the FA bartered down his violent conduct offence, but then again he is no stranger to International fallouts. Getting his players to actively "retire" from International duty, pulling them out at every opportunity lest MU prosper. Even does it at club level, recalling youngsters on loan, when it goes against him or his kin/interests. A bully, pure and simple.
Martin Massey
His club his players united pay the wages, Another red from under a rock?
Ciaran Mulholland
Ferguson is right, nobody cares about international football anymore, why go out of your way for it.
Philip Handley
1:06pm on 10/3/2013
Lert us all hope that the man u v Chelsea game goes smoothly, but I think that with a lot of referees in the pocket of Ferguson this may not be the case. To instruct rooney not to talk to the FA smacks of "Bully Boy" tactics by bully boy ferguson. Is this how he operates, Cant get his own way so he throws a strop. What a childish individual he is to be have in such an immature way, particularly for a 70 year old. It's about time he learnt a lesson on manners and not try and intimidate all who do not agree with him. It is the same approach that Hitler and all other dictators have, agree with me or suffer the consequences. What a total waste of space he is [ferguson]
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2:15pm on 10/3/2013
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Martin Massey
1:35pm on 11/3/2013
And so are you how can you mention a man who killed 6 million people in relation to football, Your HATE is such that your not rational or were you looking in the mirror when you made your statement?