Fergie ready for Rooney furore

Sir Alex Ferguson expects a storm to be made over the incident which Roberto Martinez felt should have seen Wayne Rooney sent off against Wigan Athletic.

Manchester United striker Rooney appeared to catch Latics midfielder James McCarthy with his elbow during the early stages of his team's 4-0 win at the DW Stadium.

Referee Mark Clattenburg awarded a free-kick to Wigan, but chose not to take any action against England international Rooney.

After reviewing the incident, United boss Ferguson felt Clattenburg made the correct decision, although he still anticipates a media furore.

"I have had a chance to see it," said Ferguson. "There is nothing in it.

"But, what will happen, the question has been asked and because it is Wayne Rooney the press will raise a campaign to get him hung by Tuesday or electrocuted or something like that.

"It is unbelievable. Watch the press. It will be interesting to see it."

However, Ferguson's Wigan counterpart Martinez is adamant that Rooney should have been shown a red card for the challenge.

"I saw the incident clearly and the referee did as well because he gave the free-kick," said Martinez.

"Once you give a free-kick it is quite clear that it is a red card. When you look at the replay, it is quite clear he catches James McCarthy in the face with his elbow.

"If one of my players had done that, I would think he was very lucky to stay on the pitch.

"It is a big call in the game. It is unfortunate because the referee saw it but he didn't feel it was a red card.

"It was not because he was Wayne Rooney. It was an incident in the game. That is it.

"I saw the referee at half-time. He said he felt it was not a red card and that Rooney had just clipped McCarthy."