Manchester United Star: 'I'm not the Ref. I Didn't Give the Card'

Wayne Rooney has hit out at criticism surrounding Vincent Kompany's red card in the Manchester United and Manchester City derby yesterday, insisting that it was the correct decision by ref Chris Foy.

Kompany was sent off early in the match after a two-footed tackle against Nani, and after the skipper left the ground, the Red Devils were able to clock up a three goal lead before the end of the first half.

And while some pundits have argued that the sending off was particularly harsh, and have suggested that Rooney influenced Foy's decision, the striker insists that he had nothing to do with what, in his opinion, was simply the ref making the right call according to the rules.

"Funny how people think I got Kompany sent off," Rooney wrote on his twitter.

"I'm not [the] ref. I didn't give red card. But it was a clear red card. 2 footed tackle."

Rooney has been displaying mixed form for United lately, but the England international was on fire against the Citizens, posting a goal in the 10<sup>th minute and scoring brilliant header off a saved penalty just before the first half came to an end.

And while he has been the subject of negative press throughout his entire career, Sir Alex Ferguson believes that the 26 year old will have to learn to live with the harsh words being said by the media.

"Wayne Rooney is a headline-maker, good or bad," Ferguson conceded after United defeated City.

"It is the situation that existed many years ago with Paul Gascoigne.

"We have seen the good stuff today but any flaws will be absolutely annihilated by the press. That is what they are like. That is what we are dealing with.

"Today was a magnificent performance."

United are now through to the next round of the FA Cup, and will face bitter rivals Liverpool in their pursuit of trophies this season.

The match-up is a particularly sour one for both clubs, after Luis Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing Partice Evra in October last year. Suarez won't play in the match, though if it ends in a draw and goes to a replay, the striker will have a very frosty reception from United players if he does make an appearance.

Rooney revealed he is already thinking about the grudge match between United and Liverpool, telling his twitter followers: "What a draw for next round. Another big game. Cant wait for it already."

United will be particularly reliant on Rooney to find the net for the club when they make the trip to Anfield on the weekend of the 28<sup>th February, with the Red Devils often struggling at Liverpool's home to take away a win.

Ferdinand weighs in on the debate over whether the ref made the right call against Kompany: "By the way how can there be any debate about the red card yesterday?? You leave the ground with a #2footTackle = Red card #fact"