England boss Fabio Capello admits he's asked Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson not to burnout Wayne Rooney ahead of the World Cup.

Capello dined with Sir Alex at Wembley on Thursday night and the England manager did not waste the opportunity to issue one particular plea.

"Wayne Rooney is in a magical moment," said Capello. "I told Sir Alex, 'Please rest him sometimes; he plays every game. I need him more fresh to play in the World Cup'."

As Sven Goran Eriksson pointed out at an event hosted by the League Managers' Association in the Italian's honour, Ferguson is unlikely to put England's concerns ahead of Manchester United's.

"Knowing him, I don't think he will," said the Swede.