Ferguson plays down Rooney fears

Sir Alex Ferguson has played down fears about Wayne Rooney's fitness ahead of this summer's World Cup.

The Manchester United striker limped out of the action 13 minutes from the end of Sunday afternoon's 4-0 win over Stoke, sparking immediate fears about his health ahead of Fabio Capello's provisional squad being announced on Tuesday. But, in confirming Rooney had aggravated a groin injury that first surfaced at Blackburn last month, Ferguson stressed he was not too concerned about the 24-year-old.

"He has aggravated his groin again. I don't think it is serious. I think he will be OK for England," said Ferguson.

Rooney's injury was the most disappointing moment on a downbeat day when United managed to score four times, despite the knowledge the title was heading for Chelsea after a three-year stay at Old Trafford.

Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs put the hosts in the comfort zone before the break, although by then, Ferguson already knew United's fate.

"It was always going to be hard for Wigan to get something. When we heard they were down to 10 men all our hopes evaporated," said Ferguson.

"I am not going to agonise about where it went wrong. You could talk about a lot of things and the decision at Stamford Bridge was a bad one that turned the whole thing round.

"But you can't agonise over these things. Sometimes you get the breaks, on other occasions you don't.

"The European Cup was the biggest disappointment. We should be in the final.

"But we applaud Chelsea winning the title and I applaud Carlo Ancelotti. We know how hard it is to win the league."