Rooney relief as Reds pay title tribute to Chelsea

Manchester United assistant boss Mike Phelan insists England’s worried fans need have no concern over the fitness of Wayne Rooney.

The 34–goal striker walked off 13 minutes from the end of United’s 4–0 win over Stoke at Old Trafford after suffering a recurrence of the groin problem which has troubled him since the second leg of his side’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich last month.

With Fabio Capello due to name his 30–man provisional World Cup squad tomorrow, the Italian needed some reassurance about his talisman.

Rooney’s exit was part of a strange afternoon as United sauntered to victory while at the same time knowing the title was beyond them.

As Chelsea were in front against Wigan before Darren Fletcher put the Red Devils ahead against Tony Pulis’s side, there was an air of inevitability about proceedings.

Ryan Giggs added a second goal before half–time and Danny Higginbotham turned Rooney’s low cross into his own net after the break, leaving Park Ji–sung to complete United’s season with a firm diving header.

It was a disappointing end to United’s quest to become the first English team to win four successive titles.