Wayne Rooney Injury: Updates on Manchester United Star's Foot and Return

Latest Update from Friday, Oct. 31

Manchester United's official Twitter feed has the latest on Wayne Rooney's injury, from manager Louis van Gaal:

Prior Updates 

Original Article from Monday, Oct. 27

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney could miss the club's vital clash with Manchester City due to a foot injury.    

Mark Ogden of The Daily Telegraph reported the ominous news Monday:

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The United captain, who completed a three-match suspension by watching the 1-1 draw against Chelsea from the Old Trafford directors’ box on Sunday, had been expected to return to Louis van Gaal’s team for the match against the champions at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

However, he is now a doubt for the match as a result of the foot problem that has left him limping heavily. It is the latest injury blow to afflict Van Gaal’s squad this season, with Phil Jones now facing a spell on the sidelines amid concerns that the England centre-half is suffering from shin splints.

Rooney was able to attend a commercial event at Old Trafford on Monday afternoon to promote a partnership with the watch-maker Bulova, but the player was described as being in visible discomfort as he walked away from a photograph on the pitch with the rest of the first-team squad.

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With respect to veteran Frank Lampard, who left Chelsea to join the MLS' New York City FC, this statistic from WhoScored.com shows how consistently explosive Rooney and striker partner Robin van Persie have been:   

Heading into such an important encounter, Louis van Gaal was dearly love to be able to partner both strikers as United look for a result that could kick-start their season.

Rooney is a sensational finisher and a playmaker whose presence as a leader and creative facilitator can't really be replaced by anyone in United's squad.

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 28

Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail reports that club insiders are confident Rooney will recover in time for the derby fixture on Sunday:

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Manchester United are hopeful Wayne Rooney will be fit for this weekend’s derby after the club captain appeared with a limp at a club sponsorship event on Monday.

Sources in the Rooney camp said that the 29-year-old trained on Monday morning and was fully fit, despite appearing to carry his right leg gingerly at the launch of a new United deal with watch manufacturer Bulova in the afternoon.

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Update from Thursday, Oct. 30

Wayne Rooney is ready to start Sunday's Manchester derby between City and United, despite an apparent foot problem that hindered his movement earlier in the week.

Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail reports:

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Wayne Rooney is fit for the Manchester derby this weekend.

[...] It is understood that the United captain trained fully on Wednesday and will play at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

[...] United manager Louis van Gaal has told Rooney he will definitely start and it remains to be seen who makes way.

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