Wayne Rooney is fighting to save his Manchester United career, with his manager Sir Alex Ferguson's profound doubts about the player's approach to his work now a cause of daily tension between the two.

The decision by Ferguson, above, to exclude Rooney from the starting line-up for Tuesday's defeat to Real Madrid reflected the manager's view that the 27-year-old is not dealing with fitness issues he believes have been a problem since the start of the season.

United, against whom Uefa have opened disciplinary proceedings over Nani's red card – he is likely to receive a one-game ban – and the non-fulfilment of post-match media obligations following the 2-1 loss, face an imminent decision about Rooney's future this summer, when the forward enters the final two years of his contract.

The club cannot allow him to drift into the final year of a £250,000-a-week deal. Unless Rooney can repair his relationship with Ferguson, the manager will consider selling him for an offer above £20m.

Opinion: James Lawton

Danny Welbeck handsomely repaid Sir Alex Ferguson's confidence and, with Robin van Persie entrenched as the new main striker, Wayne Rooney, pictured, has surely never had a less certain future. MORE

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Spurs striker Jermain Defoe is determined to make up for lost time when he makes a first start in a month against Inter tonight. “I picked up an ankle injury and was a bit down,” the new father said. “You have to bounce back, come back stronger and help the team kick on.” page 50

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