Wayne Rooney escapes FA sanction

Wayne Rooney will be available for Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea tomorrow night, as he will face no action for his elbow on Wigan midfielder James McCarthy.

The Premier League leaders feared the England striker could receive a ban by the Football Association after an off-the-ball incident that seen Rooney elbow the Irish international on the side of his head during United’s 4-0 victory at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

The United forward escaped with just a telling off by referee Mark Clattenburg at the time of the incident, but it was later confirmed that the incident would be reviewed after Clattenburg’s match report arrived.

However, the explanation of the incident in the report did not have enough evidence to take further action against the player.

This news will be well received by Sir Alex Ferguson, who was fearful that Rooney might receive a suspension, even though the Scot felt there was “nothing in the challenge”.

Rooney is now likely to start up front as a lone striker when United face the current Premier League Champions Chelsea tomorrow night.