Wayne Rooney's desire to leave Manchester United confirms Sir Alex Ferguson

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND : Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday confirmed Wayne Rooney's desire to exit the club, after several days of speculation and media rumors.

After Ferguson announced that Rooney would not be playing in the upcoming Champions match against Bursaspor because of an injured ankle, the international striker went on to publicly deny he was unable to play because of an injury.

"That was my intention, that was my idea, to galvanize him," Ferguson said. "Take a break from the games, get the training done, get his fitness back. Get rid of the traces of the ankle injury away and play for England. So why he's come out and said that, I've no idea," he added.

As the transfer period of January approaches, rumors have been circulating in sports media about Rooney's future. Some say the two have not spoken to each other for several weeks, but Ferguson explained that they "never had an argument, not a bit."

"I think you have to understand the mechanics of these situations when people want to leave the club. It's an easy one to say he's fallen out with the manager, a very easy one to say. I think there are traces of that too," Ferguson explained.

Despite Manchester United's initial rejection of Rooney's possible departure, the international star has made it clear that he has no intention of signing a contract extension, to the surprise of both Ferguson and the striker's agent.

Ferguson said to be "disappointed," but he was quick to say that if Rooney changes his mind, the door will be open for him at Manchester United.

"Wayn''s been a beneficiary of this help, just as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and all the players have been. That's what we're there for," he added.

"We're dealing with agents who live in the pockets of players. We live in a different world now and we have to deal with it in a different way. It's a pity but it's there and we have to deal with it," Ferguson stated.

Rooney has been linked to several clubs, including Manchester City, who reportedly could offer him twice his current salary.

British media urges Wayne Rooney to learn from Sachin Tendulkar

The British media has lavished praise on iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar and according to a column written by former England cricketer Ed Smith, Manchester United star Wayne Rooney should learn how to turn expectations into inspiration.

In an article headlined 'Sanctuary of crease lets Tendulkar reveal genius,' Smith had written, "Twice last week, sportsmen have proved me spectacularly wrong. First, Sachin Tendulkar reached 14,000 Test-match runs. And that's not the amazing part.

"It took him fewer innings to get from 13,000 to 14,000 than any other 1,000-run chunk of his career. A case could be made that he is at his best now, at 37," the newspaper noted.

The article said Tendulkar and Rooney were destined for rare greatness, even from teenage. Tendulkar has gone on and done it.

A year ago, Rooney looked placed to do the same. But now, as never before, there are real doubts that he will become the player we once assumed he would be.

"Make no mistake, Tendulkar's career has not been as serene as it might look, there have been arguments with coaches and match referees, an unsatisfactory spell as captain and long phases when the muse has deserted him.

"Tendulkar has had countless moments when frustration could have overwhelmed him. He has never blown his top, never lost his dignity. Instead,frustration has inpired him."

"Above all, his career has been played out under the shadow of phenomenal expectation. Footballers in England have to deal with being heroes. In India it is even worse: they are meant to be Gods."

"According to the report 'Tendulkar has come to the conclusion that there is one place where he is free from the hassles of fame. There is one realm where he cannot be pestered. It is called the crease.

"With the bat in his hands, Tendulkar is the conductor of his own life, not just a participant in a soap opera. There, out in the middle, no one can stop him being himself - not a restless media, not overly demanding fans, not intering coaches or greedy agents."

"It is the ultimate irony: the greatest actors are never freer than when they're on the stage. That is the way for Rooney to find the way out of his present difficulties - he must have the bravery to express himself on the pitch, to make it his sanctuary."

"If he allows himself to become embittered and resentful, he will not only become estranged from his fans, but also from his talent. No wonder the ball is bouncing off him at the moment; he probably would like to repel the whole game.

"Instead, he must learn to love it again. Shamed by alleged events off the pitch and embarrassed by events on it, Rooney could be forgiven for feeling sorry for himself," the report said.

"It would be a normal thing to feel. But he doesn't aspire to normality, but to greatness. And greatness, as Tendulkar has showed demands a superhuman degree of resilience and emotional dexterity. Rooney must locate his inner Tendulkar, a genius who got even with his critics by scoring hundreds."

"For Rooney, in every sense, it's time to turn the pressure into goals."

ponting said after the loss to india in mohali

 Australian captain Ricky Ponting admitted that his side's worst fears that VVS Laxman could spoil their chances came out to be true and said it would be a difficult job for them to bounce back in the series after the heartbreaking loss in the opening Test.

"VVS (Laxman) was our biggest worry, that's the way he has turned out to be," Ponting said after the match which they lost by one wicket.

"No doubt the dressing room is very quiet at the moment. But we have to bounce back. There is no hiding the fact that it is going to be a difficult task and first session of the next (Bangalore) Test would be crucial," Ponting said.

Ponting said that Laxman, who hit an unbeaten 79-ball 73 to guide India to a memorable win, showed that he is a class player.

The visiting skipper said he did not repent giving his nod for allowing a runner for Laxman who was suffering from a back spasm. Laxman batted at number 10 in India's first innings and came out at seven in the second.

Ponting said he had told his bowlers not to take things easy against Laxman as he was like a "wounded player" who had earlier batted down the order.

He informed that pacer Doug Bollinger, who did not bowl after lunch with over 50 runs still required by the Indians, had suffered an abdominal strain and "it was really disappointing to lose him at that stage".

Ponting, who made knocks of 71 and 4 in the match, admitted that the narrow loss would hurt his team but his side would look forward and move on.

"It is important for us not to go too much into the negative side of not winning the game. We should look at the positives which we have achieved," he said.