Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is furious with Wayne Rooney over comments about his fitness. Sources at Manchester United say manager Sir Alex used a minor knock his star striker suffered as an excuse to keep him out of two vital games, says the Mirror.

They claim Sir Alex, who is fiercely loyal to his players, was keen to shield Rooney from the public gaze as he fought to save his marriage amid a media storm over his alleged fling with a prostitute. But Rooney has now ­challenged Sir Alex's story.

The United source, said: "The manager is not happy as Wayne will realise when he arrives this morning.

"Sir Alex is a huge family man and tried to do the right thing by Wayne by trying to take the pressure off him and withdrawing him from the front line.

"He was furious with Wayne but more concerned about supporting him through the troubled times.

"The suspected ankle injury provided the manager with the perfect opportunity to take him out of the spotlight.

"He feared the focus on his private life was too much and believed Wayne should concentrate on his marriage.

"There was no one more relived to discover the ankle injury was not as bad as first feared but it is embarrassing to have it thrown back in his face."