Fergie explains Rooney sub role

Sir Alex Ferguson admits he had one eye on future games after starting Manchester United's Carling Cup match-winner Wayne Rooney on the bench against Aston Villa.

Rooney, who headed the semi-final winner against Manchester City, was replaced in the starting line-up by Michael Owen for Sunday's Wembley showdown.

Owen repaid his manager's faith by scoring the equaliser before the striker pulled up with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Rooney before half-time.

The in-form England ace then settled an open cup final on 74 minutes as he rose well to head Antonio Valencia's cross beyond the reach of Villa keeper Brad Friedel.

With United facing Wolves in the Premier League and AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League in the next fortnight, Ferguson felt it was an opportunity to give Rooney a break.

"There's a lot of big games coming up now and that's why we didn't play him today, but he's had 45, 50 minutes," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

United fell behind inside the opening five minutes when James Milner scored from the penalty spot after Nemanja Vidic was fortunate not to be sent off for bringing down Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Ferguson had no complaints with the award of the penalty and praised his team's ability to recover from suffering an early setback.

He added: "It was a bad start to the game and we got caught on the hop really with the penalty kick.

"I think it was the right decision as he has brought him down from the back, but we recovered and that's the important thing.

"Michael Owen had a great first half, but unfortunately he got a hamstring injury and had to come off with that.

"Wayne comes on and scores the winning goal. With the form he's in you expect that."