Sir Alex Ferguson has played down Wayne Rooney's visible disappointment on being substituted during the second half in Manchester United's first Champions League game of this season against Turkish club Besiktas. Wayne Rooney was distraught at being substituted and was seen throwing his boots down in disgust on the bench. However, Ferguson attributes the reaction down to Rooney's burning desire to play all the time and make a difference.

Sir Alex Ferguson speaks...

"It was always part of our thoughts to bring Wayne off. He had been playing as the lone striker for an hour, which is why he was always going to come off. He is never pleased to come off. He has so much energy he wants to play all the time."

No two ways about Sir Alex's logic though one wonders why Rooney was playing as a lone striker.