The Sport Matrix: Thursday 10 October 2013

Rooney reveals United middle man role got him down

Wayne Rooney has revealed that his dissatisfaction at Manchester United last season began when Sir Alex Ferguson played the striker out of position in midfield.

The issue has now seemingly been remedied by the arrival of David Moyes (above), but Rooney did not mention Ferguson once by name at St George's Park on Tuesday.

Rooney said: "Everyone at the club knew that [in attack] is where I wanted to play and I think that's why I was disappointed because I got told to play in midfield and I didn't want to.

"But I'd always go in and try to help the team, so I think there had to come a point where for my own career I had to be a bit selfish, really."

That 'selfishness' was not explained in the press conference, but it would seem that was one of the reasons that he was prepared to leave United in the summer.

"I'm not going to go around saying I wanted to stay or I wanted to leave [United]," said Rooney, who scored 12 league goals last term. "I'll concentrate on my football and see what happens after that." MORE

Hoddle and Mills given key FA roles

FA chairman Greg Dyke has confirmed that Glenn Hoddle will be on the commission that is to look at ways of developing English talent. Danny Mills, Howard Wilkinson, Ritchie Humphreys and Dario Gradi are also included in Dyke's group. MORE

Matt Butler

To avoid accusations of xenophobia, Jack Wilshere could possibly have modified his comments to say if you do not feel English then you should be precluded from playing for the Three Lions. MORE

Dwyer successful in BHA hearing

The British Horseracing Authority has decided not to enforce in Britain the 56-day ban Martin Dwyer received in India. In February, Dwyer was alleged to have not ridden Ice Age on her merits at Mahalaxmi in Mumbai. MORE

Pietersen blasts Wilshere on Twitter

Jack Wilshere and Kevin Pietersen were involved in an exchange on Twitter last night over what makes a sportsman eligible to represent England. Pietersen, born in South Africa, asked whether him, Andrew Strauss, Chris Froome and Mo Farah were deemed 'foreign'. MORE

Galileo yearling fetches record £5m

A sister to the 2012 Oaks winner Was set a world record for a yearling filly sold at auction when she fetched 5m guineas or £5.25m yesterday. She was bought by Nicholas de Watrigant on behalf of Sheikh Joaan's Al Shaqab Racing. The filly will be trained in France. MORE

Mackay at risk after Tan decision

Cardiff City last night denied that the club's chairman Vincent Tan asked Malky Mackay to quit after the appointment of a new 23-year-old head of recruitment, who is a friend of Tan's son. Former head scout Iain Moody was replaced by Alisher Apsalyamov on Tuesday. MORE

Technology is the way to Sochi gold

Great Britain's podium pursuit at February's Winter Olympics in Sochi is being aided by cutting-edge technology across all sports. UK Sport recently announced an extension of its partnership with BAE Systems, the military technology engineers. MORE

Federer on his way with Shanghai win

Roger Federer enjoyed a 6-4, 6-3 win over Andreas Seppi in the Shanghai Masters as Rafael Nadal beat Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 6-2. Meanwhile, Andy Murray has confirmed he will miss next month's ATP Tour finals in London. MORE

English sides get off to winning start

Arsenal Ladies began their pursuit of a second Champions League title with a 7-1 win over CSHVSM Kairat in Kazakhstan yesterday. Birmingham also got off to a winning start away from home, strolling past Pallokerho-35 of Finland 3-0.

Hot Spot axed for winter Ashes Tests

Hot Spot will not be used in this winter's Ashes after a series of summer controversies. The technology, which uses heat readings to determine whether there has been contact between the bat, ball and pads, has been axed by broadcasters Channel 9. MORE