There are many who feel that Wayne Rooney is in need of a rest after an arduous week with the national team, but Sir Alex Ferguson knows better than most what makes the 21-year-old tick. “He will play,” the Manchester United manager said, leaving Blackburn Rovers to worry that they will face the backlash at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Rooney has had a strange season, one in which breathtaking highs have been followed by bemusing slumps in form, with his performances for England against Israel and Andorra particularly disappointing. Ferguson feels that criticism of Rooney’s performances has been excessive, but he shrugged off suggestions yesterday that the player could do with a break.

When asked if there was too much expectation on Rooney when he plays for England, Ferguson said: “There shouldn’t be. Since he joined us as a young lad, that pressure’s always put on his shoulders. He’s been talked about as one of the great players in this club’s history.

“I don’t see it as a big problem, but you cannot put all the responsibility for attacking on to one player. The England team has not been playing well. But Wayne is still young. He’s as strong as a bull and his enthusiasm is always there. He’s back with us now and he will play [against Blackburn].”

Maintaining a high level of performance has not been a problem for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal winger has caught the eye of Barcelona and Real Madrid. But Predrag Mijatovic, the Real sporting director, suggested yesterday that buying Ronaldo may prove easier said than done.

“If he wants to come and Madrid want him and if Manchester United say he can go, then it would happen straight away,” Mijatovic said. “But much depends on the will of the players and their clubs.”