Wayne Rooney has described himself as devastated by his ban for being sent off for "stupid" behaviour during England's 2-2 draw with Montenegro last month but has been assured by Fabio Capello that he will go to Euro 2012 even if his three-match suspension stands.

The forward met England's manager on Wednesdayat Manchester United's training ground and was told he will be taken to the finals in Poland and Ukraine even though he faces the prospect of missing the entire group stage. As expected, though, there will be no place for him in the squad to be named on Sunday for the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden.

Rooney's dismissal for violent conduct after kicking Miodrag Dzudovic led Uefa to suspend him for three matches and the Football Association will decide on Friday whether to appeal. Rooney appeared to encourage the governing body to do so when he spoke publicly about his red card for the first time.

"I am disappointed with it," the 26-year-old said of his ban. "I've got no excuse but I still feel the punishment is a bit harsh. All the details we have been waiting for came through so we will be making a decision as to whether we will be appealing.

"Obviously that is my own fault so I can't really complain. It will be a bonus if it is cut by one game. And I thank the Montenegro player [Dzudovic] who has sent an email to the FA saying that he felt the punishment was too harsh. He didn't have to do that." Dzudovic has also written to Uefa to urge leniency for Rooney.

The FA has been deliberating since Tuesday over whether to appeal and will do so only if it believes there is no danger of Rooney's ban being extended. The governing body is more likely than not to launch an appeal.

It finally received the written judgment on Tuesday from Uefa, which delayed its reply because it was giving priority to disciplinary cases involving teams who are in this month's play-offs.

"It was stupid," Rooney said of his kick at Dzudovic. "I regretted it as soon as I did it. I honestly don't know why I did it. It was one of those moments which I live to regret now. There was no tackle on me beforehand, so it wasn't retaliation.

"I didn't set out to 'beat' him; it just happened. I just can't explain it but, obviously, it's devastating for me."

Capello has started to make plans without the striker and, although the Italian will take Rooney to the Euro 2012 finals come what may, he will try alternatives in the matches against Spain and Sweden at Wembley.

"I will understand if I am not in the squad," Rooney said, "because I'll be missing out on those first three games at the minute and he has to look at other players – it is as simple as that. I want to play but I understand if I don't."

Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson has explained the thinking behind the deployment of Rooney as a central midfield player for United's Champions League victory over Otelul Galati on Wednesday..

"He's got the appetite for it, he's got the energy levels for it and I thought his awareness of people around him last night was really good," Ferguson said. "His first touch on the ball was excellent which gave him time to look up and move away from his opponents.

"I thought he did well but I'm not putting any marker down for that position now because it really depends on what is available elsewhere. I think he's scored 10 goals so far so you want him to be in positions where he can get you more goals, and I think that position is where he normally plays.

"He disciplined himself last night and didn't belt off forward all the time. He held his position quite well and played as a natural centre midfield player. He provided a lot of our forward passes and I thought that was good."

A lack of alternatives, Ferguson conceded, played a significant part in his changing of Rooney's role. "Tom Cleverley is still injured, Michael Carrick has just started training today, Darren Fletcher wasn't available last night," the United manager said. "There was a thought we might put Phil Jones back in there put young [Ezekiel] Fryers in to give him a taste and put Fábio [da Silva] at right-back because we wanted to rest [Patrice] Evra after a busy spell. But we decided, why not play Wayne there?"

Cleverley, Ashley Young and Chris Smalling will still be absent when United face Sunderland on Saturday. Michael Owen, who has injured a thigh, had a scan on Thursday to assess the damage.

"He got it when he made the run across the front post for our first goal," Ferguson said. "It's a killer in the sense that he started the season really well and he's been terrific in training. His two performances in the League Cup were very good so it's a bit of a blow. Hopefully he won't be out too long."

Ferguson will be boosted, though, by the return of Nemanja Vidic for the visit of Steve Bruce and his team. The Scot paid tribute to Bruce and expressed hope that he survives early-season pressure at Sunderland.

"For Stevie, he's been under a bit of pressure but you only need to lose two games these days and you're under pressure," Ferguson said. "But he'll be OK because he's got the mettle for it.

"That first six or seven weeks in August and September can prove fatal to some managers. I remember Peter Reid getting sacked after I think five games at City. You wonder really.

"I think there is a knee-jerk reaction in football and it doesn't do that much good to be honest. But I think Steve will be OK. Niall Quinn is a sensible lad. I know he's not entirely involved in the operation just now but he still has a part to play up there."