Fergie: Rooney is raring to go

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney proved at the weekend there is no need to leave him on the bench again in Romania tonight.

Rooney was left out of the Manchester United starting line–up against Liverpool because he was devastated at picking up a three–match ban that would rule him out of the entire European Championships if England fail to emerge from their group.

But when introduced after Steven Gerrard opened the scoring at Anfield, Rooney used a central midfield role to help trigger a comeback.

And the England star will be involved from the start as United look to find winning form in the Champions League when they tackle Otelul Galati.

"When he came on he was quite bubbly," said boss Ferguson. "He was full of energy and enthusiasm.

"He was desperate to get on, which is good. When he was sat watching the game he probably said 'I could be out there'. He will be playing tonight."

Rooney will decide later this week whether to launch an appeal against the three–match ban, which stunned Ferguson.

Rio Ferdinand is rested tonight, ahead of Sunday’s derby clash with Manchester City.

Ferguson insists United have no axe to grind with Liverpool even though their latest match seems certain to become the centre of a racism probe.

Patrice Evra was fuming after the game, claiming that Luis Suarez had racially abused him.

Although the full–back feels television replays will prove his claims, Suarez has denied them strongly, and has been backed by Liverpool.