Wayne Rooney is hopeful of being fit for Sunday’s Manchester derby following an injury scare on Monday when he was seen limping at a sponsors’ promotional event at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United captain is available after a three-match suspension and while the club have remained tight-lipped regarding the precise nature of Rooney’s fitness or otherwise, Louis van Gaal is preparing for the game with him in mind. If the 29-year-old is fit he is expected to go straight back into the starting XI as the manager has stated that as his captain Rooney has “special privileges” regarding always being selected.
Rooney’s availability would provide Van Gaal with a sizeable boost as the forward is the record scorer in Manchester derbies, with 11 goals. In his absence United have been unbeaten, winning once and drawing twice, the last of them Sunday’s home game with Chelsea when Robin van Persie equalised in injury time to give United a psychological fillip before the trip to the Etihad Stadium.
City are enduring patchy form. Last week Manuel Pellegrini’s team allowed a two-goal half-time lead at CSKA Moscow to slip and the Russians drew 2-2 in a Champions League group game. City then lost 2-1 at West Ham United on Saturday, so United will be hopeful of going to the home of the champions and putting in a good performance, especially if Rooney is the lineup.
