The teenager’s efforts earned him a ton of abuse and a mobile phone, which was thrown at him as he celebrated his matchwinner.

Rooney can expect even more bile this weekend, with Liverpool fans looking to pressurise the 19-year-old into further indiscretions following his stupid midweek red card against Villarreal.

But Ferguson knows his teenage striker has made four trips to Merseyside without a problem since he snapped him up in a £27m deal from Everton 13 months ago.

And the Scot is confident Rooney will restrict himself to showing off his immense talent.

“Wayne will put in a performance on Sunday,” said Ferguson.

“All season, his performances have been fantastic for us.”

In the immediate aftermath of Wednesday’s dismissal, Ferguson refused the opportunity to condemn Rooney outright, although it has been reported the Scot launched a particularly fearsome ‘hairdryer’ blast once the dressing room door had been closed.

There have been plenty of critics lining up to offer their opinions on Rooney’s latest explosion, which came just seven days after his four-letter tirade at England skipper David Beckham in Belfast.

Ferguson is not surprised at the attention Rooney’s behaviour has attracted. But for the United boss, the issue is no longer a matter for public debate.

“Wayne is a high profile player, so I am not surprised at the attention,” he said.

“It happened with George Best, Paul Gascoigne and David Beckham. It is the way of the world.

“We have experience of these situations and we will handle it.”

After such a major fall from grace, there could be few more intense places for Rooney to test his temperament than Anfield.

Such is the rivalry between Liverpool and United, the atmosphere is guaranteed to be intimidating even without the addition of a fiery Evertonian to the mixture.

Typically though, it is just the kind of situation the confrontational Ferguson thrives on and when the annual fixture list is released, the date of the Anfield trip is always one of the first he looks for.

“This game is one of the highlights of the year,” he said. “I love it.

“The atmosphere puts players on a real edge and it is something they respond to.”

United can claim bragging rights over the last few years at least. Rooney’s strike sealed a record third successive win at Anfield, although the chances of a fourth have been badly hampered by injury.

With Roy Keane and Gary Neville among the senior figures already missing, the visitors will also have to do without tough-tackling full-back Gabriel Heinze following the devastating news he suffered cruciate ligament damage during an innocuous first-half collision in Spain.

Heinze’s absence is a body blow to Ferguson as, with Quinton Fortune also sidelined, Phil Neville sold to Everton and John O’Shea required to cover Neville’s absence, Kieran Richardson is the only alternative.

While the 20-year-old earned an England call-up with his impressive performances on loan at West Brom last term, and has made substitute appearances in the unaccustomed full-back role for United this season, he has yet to make a Premiership start for the Old Trafford outfit.

However, while the short bus ride down the East Lancs Road is not the easiest journey, Ferguson is confident Richardson can handle the pressure.

“Kieran acquitted himself really well when he came on for Gaby on Wednesday,” said Ferguson.

“Villarreal tried a lot of players on the right wing and put several challenges to the lad but he came through them all with flying colours.

“You have to say the move to West Brom last season has proved to be a real bonus.

“He came back to us a man and is showing great maturity now even though he is only 20.

“He does provide us with a different option as an attacking full-back and I am really pleased with him.”