'ALEX FERGUSON claimed Wayne Rooney was TOO TIRED to repeat the hat-trick heroics from his debut.
Rooney, 18, was expected to put on a super show — but struggled as Manchester United dropped two more points in their quest for the title.
Boss Ferguson said: "Young Wayne was maybe a bit tired. Against Fenerbahce, he had his first game after being out for 96 days. Maybe he paid the price.
"We kept him on the pitch until the end because we wanted as many goalscorers out there as possible."
But Fergie will still let Rooney and United’s other England players train with the national team tomorrow afternoon ahead of Saturday’s crunch World Cup qualifier with Wales.
Fergie’s most pressing concern now is the fact his team lie nine points behind Premiership leaders Arsenal. United could not break down Middlesbrough yesterday.
"Every time we went up the pitch, Boro put the whole team behind the ball and made it difficult," Ferguson said. "They had young players with the legs to do their duties and they worked hard to make it a difficult day for us. We had two really marvellous chances that we did not put away. Maybe we were a bit over-anxious. In the end, you have to be pleased to get something out of a game when you are 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go."