Troubled Rooney takes centre-stage against Albion

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MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Oct 15 (AFP): All eyes will be on Wayne Rooney in the wake of another controversial week as Manchester United face West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday.
After a disappointing World Cup, the start to Rooney's season has been dogged by poor form as well as lurid allegations about his private life.
He was left out of last month's 3-3 draw at his former club Everton in the aftermath of reports that he paid prostitutes for sex while his wife was pregnant with their first child.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson then rested Rooney for a Champions League win in Valencia and a goalless draw at Sunderland because he felt the England international was struggling with an injury.
But Rooney apparently disagrees with that diagnosis and he this week claimed he hasn't had any injury problems this season, sparking speculation about possible faultlines in his relationship with Ferguson.
Rooney, who has scored just once in the Premier League this season, has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid and there will be focus on any exchanges between Ferguson and his star striker on Saturday to determine the extent of their rift.
It is sure to overshadow a game that is hugely important to United, who have a chance to move to within two points of Chelsea ahead of the leaders' Saturday evening clash at Aston Villa.
Having lost the title for the first time since 2006, midfielder Michael Carrick has revealed United's desperation to bring the championship back to Old Trafford.