I pick the team, Ferguson advises Hargreaves's surgeon

Ferguson was asked for his assessment of Rooney's declaration this week that he has not been suffering from an ankle injury, which his manager cited as the reason for his omission against Valencia and Sunderland prior to the international break.

While Rooney's statement has been interpreted by most outsiders as a challenge to Ferguson's authority, the Red Devils' chief certainly had no intention of being drawn into a wider conversation.

"It is water off a duck's back to me," Ferguson is reported as saying. "I don't know where all these things come from. He is always in the spotlight and being discussed by the press. It is important how you handle it in my experience. But it just runs off me. It doesn't mean anything."

Of more irritation was Steadman's declaration on Wednesday that Owen Hargreaves would make his comeback in today's Premier League game with West Brom.

Ferguson has always praised Steadman's ability at rescuing players whose careers appear to be in jeopardy.

United were happy to let Steadman treat Hargreaves for an extended period after the operations on both knees in October 2008 that were geared towards some kind of a recovery from the tendinitis problem that has plagued him since before an 18m move from Bayern Munich three years ago.

Ferguson even sent Hargreaves back to Steadman for more rehabilitation work this summer when the 29-year-old suffered a setback in pre-season training.

However, as the midfielder approaches a comeback many view as his final chance of continuing his career, Ferguson has found it rather less welcome that Steadman's opinions have strayed away from medicine and to the football field.

"We are having difficulty with the doctor in Colorado coming out with statements that are not accurate," said Ferguson.

"It is not fair to the player for him to say Owen is going to be playing (today). It is ridiculous. I pick the team and I have been doing it for quite a while.

"We have this small interference, which is causing some confusion. Owen is not ready. He is out with a calf injury."

Although Rooney's presence in Ferguson's team to face West Brom has been questioned, it really would be a provocative move to leave the England star out again, although his poor form continued at Wembley on Tuesday.

At the start of nine games in 29 days, Ryan Giggs is ready to return from a hamstring injury.

Although United are defending a 100 per cent home league record, they are under pressure because of their failure to win away from Old Trafford.

Four straight away draws have seen them slip five points adrift of leaders Chelsea and get leapfrogged by Manchester City, so a repeat of Arsenal's home defeat to Roberto Di Matteo's side last month simply cannot be tolerated.

"You have to recognise that performance at the Emirates Stadium," said Ferguson.

"To score three goals there tells you something. This will be a tough game, make no mistake."