Rooney could barely believe he had been red-carded at the time for his aerial challenge on Porto defender Pepe in Amsterdam and has since claimed some officials are honing in on any minor indiscretion in order to make a name for himself.

Dutch referee Ruud Bossen submitted a 23-page report to the Football Association emphasising why he felt he was correct to send off Rooney, and United team-mate Paul Scholes, during the four-team tournament earlier this month.

While the three-man independent disciplinary panel set up by the FA to hear United’s appeal against the verdict concurred with Bossen, Giggs is adamant the official was acting on reputation rather than fact.

“Generally, Wayne has handled himself brilliantly,” said Giggs.

“At such a young age, the spotlight is on him but he has handled that more than appropriately.

“But, on occasions like this, when the referee is trying to make a name for himself, it is disappointing.”

Neither United, nor Alex Ferguson have made any public comment on Rooney’s suspension.

However, given the Red Devils chief last week expressed surprise the case had even got as far as the FA, his opinion on the matter is not difficult to judge.

As Rooney is set to miss Sunday’s Premiership opener against Fulham with a minor groin problem, it could be the crunch Old Trafford encounter with Arsenal on September 17 before the 20-year-old makes his league bow.

His absence would be a huge blow to United’s chances of making the flying start to the campaign Ferguson has demanded.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy now at Real Madrid and Alan Smith still a couple of weeks from full recovery after his horrific double leg break, Ferguson’s decision not to bring in striking reinforcements could backfire.

Unless he opts to blood untested youngster Giuseppe Rossi against Fulham, and the following games against Charlton, Watford and Tottenham which Rooney and Scholes will definitely miss, Ferguson will be forced to press Giggs or Cristiano Ronaldo into an emergency attacking role.

“Losing both Wayne and Paul is a real problem,” admitted Giggs.

“But we have got a big enough squad to cope and we just have to deal with it.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson faces a tough battle to prise England international Owen Hargreaves away from Bayern Munich.

Having stated earlier this week a move to the Premiership was nearer than it has ever been, Hargreaves has revealed in an interview with German magazine Sport Bild that the Old Trafford outfit are pursuing him and he is interested in the offer.

“The offer from Manchester United is fantastic,” Hargreaves told Sport Bild magazine.

“Particularly as an England international, it is of interest and you never know if such an opportunity will arise again.

“Now is the time to take the next step to develop even further.”

Unfortunately for Hargreaves and United, it appears Bayern are not ready to wave the 25-year-old goodbye just yet.

The midfielder, one of the few players to make a positive impact during England’s dismal World Cup campaign, only recently signed a contract to keep him with the Bundesliga champions until 2010.

And Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has made it quite plain Hargreaves is going nowhere.

“Hargreaves is not a subject of discussion,” said Hoeness.

“Owen has a contract until 2010 and he will complete it.

“That means the issue is closed.”