Sir Alex Ferguson: Wayne Rooney is "too trusting" towards Football Association

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told Wayne Rooney that he should stop doing so much promotional work for the Football Association.

When on England duty, the 27-year-old often partakes in events designed to boost the profile of the governing body.

However, Ferguson believes that the FA's treatment of Rooney over recent disciplinary matters should make the United striker take a step back.

"I told him: 'I don't know why you do things with the FA.' He does things every time he goes down there. He should not be doing anything with them," Ferguson is quoted as saying by several of today's newspapers.

"They've not helped him one bit. Every time he does anything [wrong], they punish him more than anyone in the game.

"He should be realising that. I wouldn't do a thing for the FA but they force him to do it."

Meanwhile, Rooney has returned to the United starting lineup for this afternoon's FA Cup tie against Chelsea.