Sharethematch.com ambassador Andy Gray was talking exclusively to tribalfootball.com

THERE have been suggestions the relationship between Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney at Manchester United has become strained to the point of no return but it would make no sense for them to part ways.

Admittedly Wayne didn't look at his best against Everton and Sir Alex dropped him for the Fulham game, and no doubt he would have been gutted about that.

And after getting that nasty cut to his leg when he came off the bench Wayne might find it hard to get back into the team when he returns which would have been unfathomable as recently as last season.

However while no one is indispensable at United it would be unusual for Sir Alex to think about getting rid of Wayne, especially when he scored 29 league goals last season.

Normally when Sir Alex lets players go they are in their 30s or they have caused a bit of a problem and Wayne doesn't fall into either of those categories - he's a popular lad in the dressing room and he's only 26.

Their relationship would obviously have been tested when Wayne made his stand a couple of years ago by announcing he wanted to leave the club.

Sir Alex doesn't take kindly to people who cross him, and though he will feel he won the day by getting Wayne to sign a new contract he wouldn't have liked the position he was put in.

Some of that may still be playing on his mind but Sir Alex does what's best for Manchester United and not what's best for him - that's the one thing you do know.

Over the 25 years he has been there, most if not all of the decisions he has made are for the betterment of the club.

Wayne is also someone who would be tough to replace although Sir Alex may feel that with Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie he has already done that.

They looked good without him against Fulham, and when you've got two incredibly talented players like Kagawa and Van Persie then you might not necessarily miss Wayne.

Wayne was left out on Saturday but we have to remember he played in the Euros and hasn't had a great deal of rest - he was probably not as sharp as he could have been and possibly needed a couple of games to get himself back.

But the injury has put paid to that - it looked a horrific one and it's something that might keep him out for the best part of six to eight weeks.

It's not the kind of start he would have wanted but it means he can focus on getting himself right before he comes back because United have got plenty of talent there to cope without him.

Sometimes a footballer needs a challenge and Wayne might have felt for the last two or three years since Cristiano Ronaldo left he hasn't had one.

He'll certainly have one now because Kagawa and Van Persie are going to want to play in most games and if that's the case then where does Wayne fit in?



Andy Gray is an official ambassador for Sharethematch.com - Football's Social Network. Available now for FREE online or at the App Store; http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/share-the-match/id450784289?mt=8