Manchester United insist they were right to remove from their web site a comment from Wayne Rooney in which admitted ‘hating’ Liverpool.

Rooney, a former Everton player, gave an interview to MUTV following the Champions League victory over Inter Milan on Wednesday. Although his comments weren’t broadcast by the TV station, his quotes were used by the club’s official website.

Rooney’s exact words were “I’m very excited about the game because I grew up as an Everton fan hating Liverpool, that hasn’t changed.”

A United spokesman said:

In advance of the game we felt this was the best option.

The comments are open to wilful mis-reporting and neither the club, nor Wayne wanted that to happen.

Meanwhile Rooney says victory for Manchester United on Saturday will end Liverpool’s hopes of claiming the Premier League title this season.

United are currently seven points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand and Rooney said:

We’re in pole position and know if we can beat Liverpool then that’ll more or less end their chances of winning the league.