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

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is fit to face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, despite leaving the recent 3-0 loss to Everton with a knee injury.

Continue for updates.

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Van Gaal Confirms Rooney is Ready for West Brom

Friday, May 1

United boss Louis van Gaal told MUTV that Rooney is available for the visit of Tony Pulis' Baggies, per the Red Devils' official Twitter account:

David Maddock of the Daily Mirror previously reported that United feared the striker's season was over.

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Rooney Limps Off Against Everton

Sunday, April 26

United's official Twitter feed passed along the original details:

Rooney previously missed some time earlier this season as a result of a minor injury suffered in a match against Hull City in late November. Deployed in midfield for much of the season, Rooney's ineffectiveness was recently overcome when manager Van Gaal returned him to his preferred attacking role. He has netted 12 goals in 30 Premier League appearances this campaign, per WhoScored.com.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Those who aren't convinced about his overall importance in a squad with plenty of star power should consult midfielder Angel Di Maria. The Argentina international heaped high praise on his team-mate, as noted by Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail:

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Rooney is at the top level. The other day I was talking to my friend and I said, 'Rooney and me understand each other, just like [Lionel] Messi and me in the Argentina squad, or Cristiano [Ronaldo] at Real Madrid.' I get on really well with Rooney, we get together on the pitch to kick the ball about, to do things. He's a spectacular player and he's one of the top players in the game.

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Injuries elsewhere in the squad saw Rooney pushed back into midfield for the recent defeat to Chelsea. He returned up front against former club Everton but was largely ineffective in a terrible 3-0 loss for the Champions League chasers.

Jon Super/Associated Press

One thing the club's captain has proved in the past is that he's going to fight to get back in the lineup as soon as possible.

Back when he was dealing with the injury suffered against Hull, manager Van Gaal expressed optimism, joking that "Rooney always says he will be fit to play," per Tim Rich of The Independent.

Luckily for United fans, it seems the Englishman has shaken off his latest problem.