22.10.2013 16:57 h

Football: Moyes expects no Rooney fall-out from Ferguson book

Bei Manchester United läuft es bislang noch bescheiden
Bei Manchester United läuft es bislang noch bescheiden

Manchester United manager David Moyes has no concerns about the impact revelations contained in Alex Ferguson's autobiography could have on Wayne Rooney and the rest of the club.

Ferguson, whose retirement as United manager at the end of last season following a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford left a vacancy filled by Moyes, launched his long-awaited book on Tuesday.

In it he revisits his fall-out with Rooney last season when he claimed the England forward requested to leave the club in a private meeting.

The cooling of relations between the two men led to a pre-season of transfer speculation surrounding the striker before the deadline passed.

Rooney, 27, has since gone on to impress this term but fears circulated in recent weeks that Ferguson's book could anger the player again and give Moyes further headaches about his future.

But Moyes said Tuesday he welcomed anything his illustrious predecessor had to say.

And when asked if he had concerns about any Rooney-related headlines, he replied: "None."

The former Everton manager, who gave Rooney his start in professional football when both men were at the Merseyside club, added: "Wayne is completely focused on his football.

"I've got no problems with anything. Wayne is looking after himself and playing well.

"Alex Ferguson can do what he wishes -- he is his own man. We would love to hear what he has got to say and I'm sure the supporters will want to hear," Moyes said of his fellow Scot.

"He has a lot of great knowledge and I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy reading the book."

Moyes's men face Real Sociedad in the Champions League on Wednesday and the manager said he still faced injury problems, with central defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, as well as Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, all missing training on Tuesday.

Vidic, Ferdinand and Cleverley all missed last weekend's disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Southampton.

"We have got one or two knocks or niggles," said Moyes. "Vidic and Rio are making good progress.

"Danny Welbeck had a little bit of an injury from the game against Southampton so we will have to check.

"Tom Cleverley is not as bad as we thought so those two could play."

On Monday, reports emerged from France that Patrice Evra may not sign a new contract at United because of "personal reasons", with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

However, Moyes said of Evra's remarks: "I think they have been misinterpreted.

"I have not spoken to Pat about it. I have just seen that today (Tuesday). I don't know how you in France think about Pat but I know in Manchester we think very highly about him.

"He is an excellent player, fantastic in the dressing room and I can only say good things about him."

Javier Hernandez has struggled to get first-team action so far this season but Moyes also denied he too would leave the English champions during the January transfer window.

"It is not a question for now. He will play a lot of games before the end of the season," said Moyes.

United have endured their worst start to a Premier League season and sit eight points off leaders Arsenal.

And United defender Jonny Evans said they needed to improve on their performance against Southampton come the Sociedad match.

"I think we are disappointed, we have watched parts of the game against Southampton back and our performance level wasn't up to scratch," the Northern Irishman said.

"Especially in possession we are giving the ball away quite sloppily. We want to control games. We allowed Southampton to control the game a bit better than we did.

"I think the onus is on the players to step up. We have to look at ourselves and raise our performances," Evans added.