Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed that striker Wayne Rooney is fit for the game against West Brom this weekend, despite the 29-year-old limping off against Everton last week.
Initial reports suggested that Rooney had suffered ligament damage that could have brought a premature end to his season but Louis van Gaal revealed at his pre-match press conference on Friday that Rooney has made a full recovery from the knock and is available to face West Brom.
“Wayne is fit,” said Van Gaal. “So it was not as heavy [serious] as we expected.
“On the contrary, Luke Shaw has a groin injury. Johnny Evans is also injured
“He was for six weeks not injured [suspended] and could play. But now he is injured and can’t play.
“Michael Carrick is also still injured. I had hoped he would be available this weekend, but not.”
So with that injury news, what does that mean for the starting XI against West Brom tomorrow? With Shaw out, does that mean that Daley Blind will return to left-back?
The big loss continues be Michael Carrick, as United do not have a player who can replace him. In his absence will Ander Herrera play in a deeper role in midfield or will Rooney be forced back again?