Dutch great Marco van Basten, whose career ended prematurely because of ankle injuries, has warned Wayne Rooney thathis career too could be jeopardy if he continues to play on his injured ankle. Van Basten’s comments followed Rooney’s surprise appearance in the second leg of Manchester United’s Champions Leagueseries against Bayern Munich.
After it was first reported that Rooney would sidelined for two or three weeks with an ankle injury suffered in the first leg, he declared himself fit forthe second leg — only to go off in the second half with another ankle injury. Van Basten said it was painful to watch Rooney clearly in pain at Old Trafford.
“When I saw Rooneylimping against Bayern in the first few minutes, I was begging for him to be substituted,” said van Basten , whose career ended at the age of 29. “I still cannot believe why [United manager] Alex Ferguson, who I rate highly as amanager, did not take him off. I’ve been where Rooney was. I know what it is like. If your ankle is damaged and you get another heavy tackle on it, the pain is always with you.”