Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits that Wayne Rooney could miss the Champions League second-leg match with Milan on Wednesday.
The striker missed United’s 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux after aggravating a knee injury playing for England in midweek.
“He’s a doubt for Wednesday, which is a bigger problem for us,” said Ferguson.
“It wasn’t looking good when he got back on Thursday – his knee was swollen,” added the United boss.
The 24-year-old Rooney had been struggling with the knee problem before last weekend’s Carling Cup final but still played in England’s win over Egypt on Wednesday at Wembley, much to Ferguson’s chagrin.
“I don’t think he should have played on Wednesday,” said Ferguson.
“It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can’t say no.”
“He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.
“[England boss] Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don’t blame him at all.
“I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn’t he come off? I can’t believe it.
“It is hard to quell the enthusiasm of people like Wayne.
“He is restless. He can’t sit down. He is always on the move. Even in hotels he is moving from one table to another. If we are away in Europe he is walking about all the time.
“You don’t want to take away from him but age does some good things for you.
“Eventually you see you can’t be doing this running about all the time. You have to take a rest sometimes.”
