BANS NOT OVERTURNED

They were both sent off in the pre-season friendly game against Porto on August 4.

United were hoping the decisions would be overturned on appeal but the FA have now dismissed those claims of wrongful dismissal.

Rooney's dismissal for violent conduct and Scholes' red card for serious foul play now means they must serve a three-match ban.

They will miss the Premiership games at Charlton Athletic on August 23, at Watford on August 26 and Tottenham Hotspur at home on September 9.

The Sun reports that a 'source' close to Rooney said:

“Wayne is gutted. He knows how important it is to get a good start to the season — and the last thing he wanted was to miss three games.”

Frank Stapleton and Paddy Crerand both slammed the verdicts.

Ex-striker Stapleton said: “If United now lose a couple of those three games this will become very relevant.

“Rooney should tell the FA he does not expect to be treated like this over a friendly game that took place abroad. He has to make his feelings known.”

And 1968 European Cup legend Crerand added: “I feel so angry — it is an absolute disgrace.

“There is one rule for United and another rule for everyone else.

“It will have a tremendous impact on the team who will now be missing two world-class players.

“United have a strong squad but not a lot of Paul Scholes' or Wayne Rooneys.

“I bet Wayne is raging about this — and the manager will be raging.

“How can you keep a cool head when such an injustice has been done?”