Wayne Rooney will hope to prove his worth to Manchester United when it bids to put its Champions League heartache behind it against Chelsea in Sunday's FA Cup quarterfinal.

The England striker was dropped to the bench for United's 2-1 loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday, sparking speculation he could be set to leave the club he joined from Everton in 2004.

However, United manager Alex Ferguson has branded those reports "rubbish" and revealed the 27-year-old will play a part at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Though he stopped short of confirming Rooney would start the game, Ferguson defended his right to keep his team selections under wraps.

"He'll be involved on Sunday," the United manager said.

"(But) I'm not prepared to give away my team. Why should I? Why should I help anyone? We don't do that."

Ferguson was nonetheless prepared to reveal Ryan Giggs will play no part against Chelsea after putting in a superb 90-minute shift against Madrid in what was his 1,000th senior appearance.

"Ryan Giggs won't play (against Chelsea) on Sunday. Why? He was the best player we had (on Tuesday)," said Ferguson.

"We know how to control him and get Ryan prepared for certain games. He has done his bit for us. Next week, yes; different game, another bit of rest.

"Wayne understood exactly what we were doing. I explained to him before we announced the team."

Ferguson was so angered by his side's loss to Madrid, which turned on the controversial 56th-minute dismissal of United winger Nani, that he refused to speak to media after the game.

He will nonetheless have found solace in United's 12-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, as well as the possibility of reaching a first FA Cup final since 2007.

Chelsea's situation is rather less comfortable.

Winners of the FA Cup in four of the past six seasons, Chelsea's recent form suggests the trophy may represent its only chance of finishing the season with some silverware.

The Blues currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League and suffered a shock 1-0 loss at Steaua Bucharest in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.

(China Daily 03/10/2013 page7)