The Guardian:
Sir Alex Ferguson is to ask Nike to review the Total 90 Supremacy football boot which Wayne Rooney was wearing for the first time in a competitive match when he broke his metatarsal last Saturday in order to determine whether the shoe played any part in the severity of the injury.
Nike signed a 13-year sponsorship deal with Manchester United in 2000 worth £303m and, while the club's medical staff and Rooney have exonerated them of any blame, Ferguson is keen for the sportswear manufacturers to scrutinise the boot's performance again.
"I watched the video again and he has come down heavily on his foot and at speed.
"There is a lot of weight bearing on the part where he had fractured his foot and, to be honest, I don't know whether any other boot would have made a lot of difference. I will be saying to them again: 'Do you think the boot could have had anything to do with it?'
"I have complained [in the past] about the type of boots that are coming out and in particular the type of studs they are using now. Over the last few years these boot companies have been coming out with some nonsense - fancy white boots, red boots, tartan boots, you name it. Everything is coming out to sell it to young kids. But there has to be a dividing line between what is marketable and what is sensible."
Nike insists that the new boot was not responsible. "Wayne was involved in the testing for the boot," said a spokesperson. "Neither he, nor any of the other players who tested the boot, experienced any problems in testing."
A diplomatic Fergie:
"I think there has always got to be a dividing line between what is marketable and what is sensible.
"Over the last few years these boot companies have been coming out with some nonsense. You have different types of boots. You have fancy white boots, red boots and tartan boots - you name it.
"Everything is coming out to sell it to young kids. But at the end of the day they have to make sure their client is looked after.
"Nike, for my money, is without question the best sports company in the world. Since they have come in to be our main sponsor at United they have been absolutely magnificent.
"Every detail and idea that has come from Nike and us is explored and tested. This is something I will be saying to them again - `Do you think the boot could have anything to do with it?'
"They will be thinking that themselves because that is the kind of company they are."