Nike has denied its new 'Total 90 Supremacy' boot is in any way
responsible for the injury that has threatened to ruin Wayne Rooney's
World Cup hopes.

The Manchester United and England striker was wearing the new boots
at Stamford Bridge on Saturday when he sustained a metatarsal injury
in his club's 3-0 defeat to Chelsea. The 20-year-old appeared to
catch his foot in the turf while jostling with Paulo Ferreira for the
ball, and fell to the ground in agony before being stretchered off.

A Nike spokesperson told PA Sport's Football Insider: "We do not
believe the T90 supremacy boot was in any way responsible for or
linked to Wayne's injury. Both Wayne himself and Manchester United's
medical staff have confirmed that they do not believe the boot was
linked to Wayne's injury."

He added: "Wayne was involved in the testing and development process
for the boot. He tested prototypes in the US last year and tested
other samples at different stages of the test process. Neither he,
nor any of the other players who tested the boot, experienced any
problems in testing.

"Many other players have been positively involved in the test process
for the boot and will continue to wear it, for example Rio Ferdinand,
Jose Reyes, Roberto Carlos, Fernando Torres and Alberto Gilardino."


Rooney told MUTV on Tuesday: "I don't think my football boots had
anything to do with the injury. Before we actually wear the boots
they get tested out to make sure they're suitable for playing in. The
boots have been checked out and the boots are fine.


"It was an impact injury and there was a lot of pressure on my foot.
If you watch the video again you can see that's how it happened."