Liverpool legend Alan Hansen believes Manchester United could surrender the title if Wayne Rooney is suspended for his elbow on Wigan Athletic's James McCarthy.
In his column for the Telegraph, Hansen wrote: "Ferguson made the point last week when he admitted that, despite Chris Smalling's phenomenal performances in the absence of Rio Ferdinand, he would automatically restore Ferdinand to his team when fit.
"That is because it is all about producing the goods when it really matters and Rooney, for all of his problems this season, was not found wanting when he scored his spectacular winner against Manchester City earlier this month.
"It is in games against the likes of Chelsea when you need to find something extra to make the difference and United will always be more capable of doing that with Rooney in the team.
"Without him, they will be short of one of their very best players and despite the terrific form and progress of Javier Hernandez, he is a star of the future and not a star of now."
