ALEX FERGUSON spoke of his belief last night that Wayne Rooney is still several years away from playing to his full potential.

The Manchester United manager said he is encouraging Rooney to be less erratic, having frequently found himself defending the player over the last two seasons during sporadic losses of form.

While Rooney's two goals for England in Belarus on Wednesday mean he has now scored seven times in his last five matches, Ferguson is also mindful the 22-year-old managed only one in his first eight games this season and, at times, was struggling for touch and confidence.

"It's all to do with maturity," said Ferguson. "What we have noticed is that he goes on these scoring bursts and his form improves. That's the way he's been ever since he came to us, but you hope that by the time he gets to his mid-20s the greater experience will bring more consistency to his scoring and it will be better spread.

"We know he can score but it's a matter of getting consistency. Maybe he's got to get that thing experienced players have - like Gary Lineker, who never kicked a ball in some games and still scored two goals.

"When Wayne is in his mid-20s maybe he will score goals when he's not playing particularly well, too. You just hope - as with all young players - that when they get to their mid-20s they are going to be the full article in terms of their authority, timing and decision-making, and how they live their lives."

Ferguson is expected to play Rooney alongside Dimitar Berbatov when West Bromwich Albion visit Old Trafford today. Carlos Tevez did not return from international duty with Argentina until 2pm yesterday and Ferguson's intention is to play his "freshest team", keeping back his most jaded players for the Champions League game at home to Celtic on Tuesday.

Michael Carrick is still missing because of a broken foot and despite being expected to return to full training on Monday, it is deemed too soon for him to figure against Celtic. Owen Hargreaves will be another absentee, once again struggling with the tendinitis that has troubled him since his signing from Bayern Munich last year and, this season, restricted him to two starting appearances.

"It could be destroying to a player in the sense that he's desperate to play in a game of football, which is what he's come here to do," said Ferguson. "The fact that Owen's a new player at this club means there's a double imperative for the lad to handle. He's frustrated but he'll be back - there's no doubt about that."

Guardian Service