Sir Alex Ferguson: Rooney still needs to improve match fitness

Dec 4, 2012 4:15:00 PM

The Scottish manager claims that the England international is still not quite at peak condition despite playing a key role in Saturday's 4-3 victory over Reading

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels that striker Wayne Rooney is still lacking full match fitness.

Despite putting in his one of most impressive display of the season so far against Reading, the Red Devils boss believes that the 27-year-old needs more games to reach his peak and plans to field him against Cluj on Wednesday.

"Wayne needs to play a lot of games to get his match fitness up. He's a strong-built lad and when he misses two games it takes him three games to come back," Sir Alex told reporters on Tuesday.

"It's the way he's always been. He'll play tomorrow night and hopefully that brings him on further. On Saturday, that was his best performance of the season so far."

The Scot challenged the former Everton player to improve his goalscoring record on Friday and Rooney responded with a key role in United's thrilling 4-3 victory against Reading, with two goals and an assist for Robin van Persie's winner.

With the Manchester derby to come on Sunday, Sir Alex has confirmed his intention to give chances to some fresh players in Wednesday's Champions League tie, while ruling Nemanja Vidic out of both that game and the Manchester City clash.

Inside Goal.Com

Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
...And guess who is the Ghana Player of the Week

Join us in saluting another Ghanaian player worthy of recognition for his outstanding contribution on and off the field this week
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
Re-defined for the worst: RTU's really terrible tale

RTU's performances in the current Ghana Premier League season have indeed been nothing to write home about going 27 games without a win, and rooted at the bottom of the standings
Who is the greatest Champions League striker ever?

Enter our competition now and you will be in with a chance of winning one of four replica football shirts. Simply pick your favourite and subscribe to our YouTube channel