Rooney’s Brazil fears as groin injury returns
WAYNE ROONEY will be nursed through the final week of the Premier League season to ensure he is fit for the World Cup.
Manchester United’s interim boss Ryan Giggs confirmed yesterday that Rooney complained of a ‘tight groin’ which led to the England striker being withdrawn from training on Thursday and sent for scans.
It is understood that Rooney has aggravated the groin problem that forced him to miss five games over a three-week period in January when he went away for a warmweather break in Egypt.
The 28-year-old will not want to take any risks after struggling with injuries going into the last two World Cups in Germany and South Africa, but his participation in Brazil is not thought to be under any threat.
Rooney will miss today’s game at home to Sunderland, having also come down with a stomach upset during the week, and his place in the squad today could go to Robin van Persie, who is close to a return after missing the last eight games with a knee injury.
‘Robin has been back training this week and he’s looked good,’ said Giggs.
In relation to his future, Giggs paid tribute to Louis van Gaal’s ‘fantastic pedigree’ but refused to say if he will serve under the Dutchman as a player or coach.
Giggs is understood to be disappointed that he has not been given more of an opportunity to stake a claim for the job after being installed as United’s interim boss for the final four games of the season. The club are considering offering the 40-year- old a new 12-month playing contract, but the decision over whether he will be a coach is down to Van Gaal.
‘He (Van Gaal) has got a brilliant reputation and is a successful manager in different countries,’ said Giggs. ‘He’s got fantastic pedigree.
‘At the moment he (executive vice chairman Ed Woodward) is letting me get on with preparing the team. It’s just until the end of the season. We will chat when that’s over.’ It raises the prospect of Giggs, the most decorated player in English football since making his United debut 23 years ago, leaving the club after the final game against Southampton.
Indeed, he might have played his last game at Old Trafford after a record 962 appearances for the club. ‘ It’s not something I’ve thought about,’ he added. ‘I’ve got a lot to think about, whether to carry on playing.’
United’s plan to appoint Van Gaal next week is unlikely to change despite indications from Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola yesterday that all is not well in Germany.
Guardiola’s side crashed out of the Champions League semi-finals after a 5-0 aggregate defeat by Real Madrid, and yesterday he said: ‘The club must decide if the coach is the right one for the club.
‘I have my ideas as a coach. I can’t coach this club or players without (the hierarchy) believing in my ideas.’