Europa League - Rooney misses Ajax encounter
Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of Manchester United's Europa League clash with Ajax due to a sore throat.
Rooney was absent from training on Wednesday afternoon and United later confirmed he will miss the second leg of the last-32 tie, which the Premier League side lead 2-0 from the first leg in Amsterdam.
"Rooney's out for tomorrow," said Sir Alex Ferguson. "He has a bad throat. There were traces of it in Amsterdam last Thursday and he's been in bed for a lot of the weekend.
"He came in this morning for the first time. We're trying hard to get him ready for Sunday [at Norwich]."
The remainder of United's first-team squad were present, including midfielder Anderson, who has been missing recently. Tom Cleverley is also fit and is expected to play the full 90 minutes.
"Hopefully Tom will play a full game tomorrow," Ferguson said.. "He's back and it's good to have him back. He gives us more ammunition in the midfield area, which was an area some people were worried about. Anderson's back training with the first-team now as well."
Young French midfielder Paul Pogba may also come into contention, although it seems more likely the 18-year-old, whose contractual position remains unresolved, will be on the bench.
"It is possible we could give Pogba a run-out," said Ferguson. "It depends because there are a lot of players who need a game; Nani, (Ashley) Young, (Javier) Hernandez, Cleverley, (Chris) Smalling, (Phil) Jones.
"Those players will all play tomorrow and we hope to put a sprinkling of experience amongst it."
On a windy day during which temporary fences erected to shield building work at United's Carrington training complex blew down, long-term absentee Michael Owen was spotted doing some jogging on his own as he tries to battle back from injury.
Owen has not featured for United since suffering a thigh muscle problem in a Champions League group phase match against Otelul Galati in November.
United would appear to be in little danger of early elimination following their 2-0 first-leg win in Amsterdam last week. Victory would secure a last-16 meeting with either Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao next month.
Comment 76 - 95 of 95
Rooney is a disgusting human being.
I didn't realise that you need your throat to play football, things must have changed since I last played. You know Man Utd have fallen from grace when they get featured live on Channel 5.
Looks like the Northern clubs will have to fly the flag in europe now. mickey mouse cup but it's a cup!
so he was in bed most of the weekend.......wonder if coleen knows...............
Heading for United tonight first time at Old Trafford a dream come true
Where is Berbatov? With Dimitar and Javier on the pitch, we win by a country mile.
Minus Rooney Man Ut will not win to day!!!!!!!!!
Is this a cunning plan to either:
(a) make tonight's 2nd leg exciting or;
(b) get knocked out, to 'concentrate on the league'?
United's second string players are not as good as many suggest. Mostly has-beens or very raw young talent. Remember what they 'achieved' in the group stages.
Ajax will win tonight and Sir Ruined the game will be left kicking at the nearly gang.
Thats Ajaz through then. lol
so funny got a sore throat ,rooney you are such a wuss but then aint all manure players, and as for your manager tom pepper ( he was the guy who got thrown out of hell for lying )
AJAX should CLEAN the Scumchester-up tonight....CHANNEL 5 FOLKS....lolsers.
tezzer(89) - on the contrary, yahoo rely on pathetic little people like yourself to pop up with your little hater remarks to keep the 'conversation' flowing to ensure advertising revenue.....so congratulations on your brilliant post; calling Man u manure!!! how inspired.....your clearly a sharp cookie.
So glad to have Cleverly back, he looked brilliant at the beginning of the season. The hate for Utd has been strong this season, but i suppose that comes down to the fact we are still in contention despite the latest oil money team getting their act together and the staggering amount of first team injuries we've had. Imagine City being top of the league with Toure, Da SIlva, Aguero and Hart injured lol
Sore throat ? sounds like too much time under saf's table.
shreks too busy w4nking on da sofa over granny porn lol
Sore throat eh? Maybe he should learn to keep his foul, abusive mouth shut and then he won't pick up nasty germs. Anyway, it's Ok for Ferguson to not pick Rooney - if doesn't tell him, he'll never know! Doh!
That's Vim Cillit out with a Bang then against AJAX...lol..
87 you need to have a good & hard look at yourself in the mirror before calling our wonderboy names.
Hernandez and Berbatov should be starting then. Fergie should never start useless Welbeck who just run here and there. We won't be watching if Welbeck starts bacause it will be very boring in scoreline.
Manu's giving a little R&R for rooney. Manures going to play a more of control and defense for the 2nd leg against ajax.
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