The Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has dismissed the suggestion that Wayne Rooney was carrying an injury while on England duty at the World Cup.

Rooney, who was part of the side that departed ignominiously in the second round, failed to score in four appearances and looked a shadow of the player who struck 34 times for United last season. Ferguson, however, denied that an ankle injury suffered during United's run-in had impacted upon Rooney's form in South Africa.

"There's nothing wrong with the lad or his fitness," said Ferguson in the Mail on Sunday. "He's relaxing on holiday in Barbados and I expect him to come back refreshed for the new season."

Rooney will miss United's pre-season tour of the United States, along with other team-mates involved at the World Cup.

Ferguson has also suggested that United will not be making any more forays into the transfer market, meaning the centre-back Chris Smalling, whose move from Fulham was agreed in January, and the Mexico striker Javier Hernández will likely be the only new faces at Old Trafford this summer.

"We've looked at a few options," said Ferguson. "We did consider David Villa but he was always going to Barcelona. I just don't believe there is value out there at the moment. I'm very happy with the strength of our squad as it is."