Rooney was AXED, (not rested) in the squad to face Everton. Sir Alex lied?

Furious Sir Alex Ferguson axed Wayne Rooney as punishment for the sex scandal that has disgraced the England star.

Rooney was fully expecting to face Everton at Goodison Park despite the torrent of abuse sparked by NOTW revelations he had slept with prostitutes.

Instead, Fergie dumped Rooney from the Manchester United squad even though the striker had joined his team-mates in the Lowry Hotel on Friday night for pre-match preparations.

And Ferguson's mood darkened even further when he saw United toss away a two-goal advantage in stoppage time to draw 3-3.

Publicly, Ferguson claimed he wanted to protect Rooney from the Goodison abuse. But sources at United and close to Rooney accept the United boss was determined to lay down the law to his wayward star.

Rooney has been steeling himself for a blast from the infamous Ferguson hairdryer. Instead the Scot made an example by dropping him.

Ferguson hid behind the excuse that Rooney's presence at Goodison would have been too much of a distraction but he has a history of making examples of players who have stepped out of line.

He dropped David Beckham for a vital trip to Leeds after Beckham was late for training.

Ferguson has never felt the need to protect players before, exposing Beckham and Paul Ince to vicious treatment at West Ham while Eric Cantona also suffered on his comeback from suspension after his Selhurst Park kung-fu kick.

Rooney will play against Rangers in a Champions League clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.