Football Corner

Manchester United, midfielder come striker Alan Smith has lept to the defence of his team mate Wayne Rooney after the England striker was sent off in United's Champions League group game against Villareal for a smart gesture to the ref. Former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira has also defended the English nineteen year old. The Juventus midfielder was also sent off last night in his side's Champions League game against Belgian side Club Brugge for a second bookable offence.

Smith was quoted as saying ''He (Rooney) plays on the edge and sometimes he's going to step over the line and unfortunately for us, tonight he did. ''When you are a world class player there comes a lot of attention and focus upon you. "Up until now he has conducted himself and handled himself in the right way. ''I think for a young man, who could potentially be one of the best players in the world, we've all got to put an arm round his shoulder and help him through difficult times.''

"I think the potential and talent is there," Vieira told Sky Sports News. "There's no doubt about it, he's a fantastic player. "He is a terrific player who has just started and everybody looks after him but, after all, you need that temperament and anger as it's part of his game. "I hope he's not going to change it. That's how he is and, if he is who he is right now, it's because he's a strong player. "He just needs to learn a little bit about it but I'm not worried about it. He will sort himself out."

Rooney is a great player and I think if he lost that temperment in his game he wouldn't be the same, Though I do think he has to cool it just a little bit. Vieira and Smith are good players and maybe this advice may help Rooney a little bit. It is hard to believe that Rooney is still only nineteen and I believe he will go on to be one of the best players in the world (If he cools it a little bit).