Liverpool and United will clash on Saturday, and Rooney earlier said that he's always motivated to beat the Reds due to his long-lasting hatred for the Merseyside club.

"I’m very excited about the game because I grew up as an Everton fan hating Liverpool and that hasn’t changed," Rooney said on Thursday.

However, Ferguson confirmed that his player's comments could be no more than a slip of the tongue.

"Hate is an easy word to say, easier than dislike. Maybe it is not the right word," Ferguson said.

"But Wayne has had plenty of stick from Liverpool fans over the years, so it is understandable."

Rooney kicked off his promising career at Liverpool's arch-rivals Everton, before the 23-year-old moved to Old Trafford in 2004.

"Rooney supported Everton as a kid and the rivalry between them and Liverpool is pretty ferocious now," added the Scottish tactician.

"But since then he has come to Manchester United and he wants to win. It is nothing out of the ordinary, really."

United Response

Rooney's comments were met by wide rage from fans and pundits alike, and today Manchester United confirmed that the quotes were cut from their website.

"In advance of the game we felt this was the best option," said a United spokesman.

"The comments are open to willful misreporting, and neither the club nor Wayne wanted that to happen."