Wayne Rooney is unlikely to be fit for Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea on Sunday, with the England striker only rated as 50-50 for the Capital One Cup semi-final against Sunderland three days later.
The United players were given Wednesday off but Rooney is expected back into Carrington on Thursday following his warm-weather break in Egypt.
He has been doing some fitness work with United’s head of human performance Richard Hawkins – who accompanied him on a similar trip to Portland in 2010 – as well as spending time with his wife Coleen and their young family.
Out: Wayne Rooney is likely to miss Manchester United's trip to Chelsea despite a warm-weather break
Niggle: Rooney has a long-standing thigh injury and is rated 50/50 for the League Cup semi-final next week
Although it is understood to have gone well, United are reluctant to risk Rooney at Stamford Bridge despite the importance of the game and continued absence of his strike partner Robin van Persie.
David Moyes has been trying to manage the problem by playing Rooney in only three of the last eight matches, but the United boss admitted that has failed to cure the problem.
‘We look as if we could bring him in but then he may have to drop out again, so we just want to nip it in the bud,’ said Moyes last week.
Blow: Manager David Moyes was hoping to have his talisman back fit after the break in Egypt
Missing: Robin van Persie hasn't played since the start of December and continues to leave a hole up front
‘He also needs a bit of strengthening work in that area, so he will continue working (in Egypt) because I want to keep him in good shape. We’ve sent somebody with him and hopefully we can get him back and ready to go again.’
Hawkins has been reporting back to United’s medical staff who will assess Rooney’s progress on Thursday.
Moyes may yet be tempted to take a gamble on him at Chelsea but the indications are that Rooney faces a race to be fit for the Sunderland game on Wednesday when United try to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.
Big call: Moyes will want Rooney fit for the return leg against Sunderland in order to turnaround a goal deficit
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