Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has no doubts Wayne Rooney can carry England's expectations.

Rooney's role as England catalyst is set to continue in South Africa, but his club manager believes he will shoulder the responsibility with aplomb.

"When you look at England at the moment, what Fabio is depending on is a fit Rooney," said Ferguson. "He will be the most important player for England, because he is the one player guaranteed his place up front.

"The other selections are not quite clear at the moment. He has got Defoe, he has got Crouch, Heskey.

"But Rooney is the guaranteed player who is going to play there so there's a great responsibility on the boy, great expectations from the supporters.

"I think he will carry that, but there is a great expectation.

"Sometimes because of such demand on England, it sometimes stretches people's realistic ambitions and puts a great onus on the player."