Wayne Rooney left out of Man Utd squad to face Everton

Everton fans still bear a grudge over Rooney's move to Man Utd

Wayne Rooney was left out of the Manchester United squad for the 3-3 draw with Everton on Saturday.

The England striker is at the centre of allegations about his private life and was spared an expected hostile return to his former club.

"We are not going to subject him to the abuse he gets here," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports.

United face Rangers in the Champions League at home on Tuesday and Ferguson added: "He'll be playing Tuesday."

United made light of Rooney's absence by surging into a 3-1 lead after 66 minutes at Goodison Park, but injury-time goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta salvaged a point for Everton.

After the match, United assistant boss Mike Phelan seemed to suggest that Rooney's absence was due to something more than merely the reception he would receive at his old club.

"Wayne wasn't ready to play so we didn't play him," Phelan told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Moyes swats away Rooney 'gossip'

Rooney, 24, and his wife Coleen have appealed for privacy following a week where allegations about the striker have appeared across tabloid newspapers.

The couple issued a joint statement on Friday which read: "The last six days have been extremely painful for us and for our families.

"It is impossible for us, as it would be for any family, to attempt to resolve any issues in the current media glare and against the backdrop of so many inaccurate and intrusive stories.

"We would, therefore, ask that the media now respects our privacy and the right of our family to discuss these matters in private."

Rooney played for England against Switzerland following the allegations and scored in the national team's 3-1 victory in the Euro 2012 qualifier.

However, United boss Ferguson decided against taking him to Goodison Park, where the Croxteth-born forward shot to prominence as a 16-year-old.