Wayne Rooney [ Images ] has been left out of Manchester United's [ Images ] squad for Saturday's Premier League game at Everton to spare him abuse from the fans of his former club, United manager Alex Ferguson [ Images ] said.

Rooney, at the centre of newspaper allegations about his private life, appeared for England [ Images ] in their midweek 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win in Switzerland [ Images ] and had been expected to play on Saturday.

However, Ferguson told Sky Sports: "We made a decision simply because he gets terrible abuse here. We don't want to subject him to that."

Rooney is a regular target for fans at Goodison Park where many have still not forgiven him for leaving to join United six years ago.

Rooney and his wife Coleen issued a statement on Friday asking to be left alone and saying: "It is impossible for us...to attempt to resolve any issues in the current media glare".