Wayne Rooney is being given the best possible guidance for life on and off the pitch by the coaching staff at Manchester United, says manager Alex Ferguson.
The England striker, who has been in outstanding form for United this season, was the subject of newspapers stories last weekend alleging that he owed $NZ2 million in gambling debts.
Ferguson refused to discuss those allegations ahead of Monday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur but said on Saturday: "With young people you hope they are getting the proper advice, and that applies to all young players.
"It's always been the same at our club, and I think we've done really well, handling the young ones that have gone through different stages," Ferguson told reporters.
"If they don't listen, you know they are going the wrong way. You need young players with an attentive mind, (knowing) that they trust their coach or their manager to do the best things for him and give the proper advice, and I think he (Rooney) gets that here."
Ferguson was speaking after his team were held 0-0 at home by relegated Sunderland on Saturday and virtually lost all hopes of beating Chelsea to the title when the champions won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.
Ferguson also urged England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to include United defender Wes Brown in England's squad for the World Cup finals in Germany.
Brown, 26, has not played for England since he won the last of his nine caps on a tour of the US last year but he was in England's squad for their friendly against Uruguay in March.
"We all have our own opinions about national selections, but I would certainly take him. I've told Sven that," Ferguson said. "He is an outstanding defender.
"(England) have a lot of options. They have Ledley King, (John) Terry, (Jamie) Carragher, (Rio) Ferdinand and he (Eriksson) has the choice of (Sol) Campbell and Wes Brown.
"There are a lot of choices there, but as a true, natural defender, Wes Brown is fantastic."
Brown, plagued by injuries in previous years, has started 26 games for United this season, returning to the starting line-up after a five-game absence for the Sunderland match.
Eriksson will name his 23-man squad on May 15 for the World Cup which starts on June 9.
