Rooney race for fitness

Stuart Mathieson

October 21, 2009

WAYNE Rooney is facing a major fight to be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.

While the squad flew off to Moscow, the striker was left behind at United's Carrington training headquarters in a desperate bid to make the Anfield showdown.

The Liverpudlian dad-to-be, who'll be 24 on Saturday, is keen to play in front of the Kop but is struggling after suffering a calf injury playing for England in the Ukraine 10 days ago.

"We are fighting to get Rooney ready. It may be an uphill fight, but we are trying," said Sir Alex Ferguson in Russia.

The United manager also left Ryan Giggs (virus), Darren Fletcher (groin) and Patrice Evra (heel) behind in Manchester whilst the Reds geared up to take on CSKA Moscow in their Champions League game.

He is hopeful that the trio will make the Liverpool match.

"Evra will be fit for Sunday. He's just had a little problem with heel that we could have risked," Fergie said.

"That was a difficult one, as regards Patrice. Flying for three and a half hours players can sometimes have a reaction. But we are well covered and he is the one that I can say will certainly be fit on Sunday.

"It's difficult to say with Giggs, and Fletcher is a slight doubt, but we are hoping we get the main players fit because it's a big game."

Ji-Sung Park, who is out with a knee injury and wasn't considered for the CSKA trip, is still two weeks away from a return to action.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo's ankle injury has ruled him out of Real Madrid's match against AC Milan leaving Brazilian star Kaka to lead the attack against his former club.

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Drago 34 (21/10/2009 at 09:53)

Firstly what has the last two lines of this article got to do with United.I dont care who is leading Madrids attack tonight.They aint playing us so why is it on here?

Secondly does anyone really believe Rooney, Giggs, Evra, Fletcher wont be fit for Sunday? How many times over the years has Fergie played these mind games before a big game?I think all 4 will be fit and start on Sunday.I hope.

Liverpool could well have real problems with Gerrard for Sunday as he came off after 25 mins last night with a groin injury.Its a reacurance of the injury he picked up for England so that is normally 2-3 weeks minimum before he'll be 100% fit and if he risks him he could end up being out for 2-3 months.Johnson is another seriuos doubt but i think Torres will be fit.Just want 3 points Sunday to almost end there season and i dont care how we play as long as we win.

The Trawler, Stockport (21/10/2009 at 10:03)

Drago 34: What, you mean you HAVEN'T been trying to find out what Ronaldo had for his breakfast this morning???

Alias Smith, over the moon (21/10/2009 at 10:03)

Drago, pretty much agree with all of that and I think at least 3 of the players will be fit - Giggs maybe is the most doubtful because he has a virus.

I would settle for a point at Anfield even with their current travails. However, it's a great time to be facing them and we must have as good a chance of a win as any time over the last few seasons.

Drago 34 (21/10/2009 at 10:19)

Alias

If Gerrard, Torres, Johnson do play Sunday then i agree i would take a point at Anfield and move on to the next game, but if Gerrard & Johnson are out (which is a real possibility) then we have a fantastic chance to put them to the sword and beat them.But as long as we get something out of the game then it wouldnt be a disaster.

Drago 34 (21/10/2009 at 10:22)

The Trawler

No i havent been trying to find out what Ronaldo had for breakfast but im sure MEN will let us know tomorrow though;)

Ben'sDad, WA4 (21/10/2009 at 10:26)

Anyone who thinks we're in for an easy ride on Sunday needs to think again. I recall the fixture at OT earlier this year (a black, black day) all too clearly. We were expected to beat Liverpool, or at least avoid defeat, and were made to look foolish. They're always dangerous, especially when motivated, which they will be. Their confidence will be low, but defeat in Moscow tonight would be a blow to our confidence too. We would badly miss Rooney on Sunday. A point would be OK.

Gilly, Belgium (21/10/2009 at 10:28)

Way to go get em ready and fit to play !
lets win against the pool , they didnt play well last night against Lyon !

edinburgh red, edinburgh (21/10/2009 at 10:47)

I didn't realise that Fletcher and co would all be possibly missing, I thought they were just getting rested, with vidic supposedly carrying an injury I would save him from tonight, hopefully rio's back will hold out on the firm surface.
Liverpool will be doing all they can to get there 3 stars fit for sunday, we can seriously derail any challenge from them by october if we win,of course they can use this game as there catalyst so it wont be easy, if we get the first goal I fancy our chances, they only beat us last season at anfield due to bad errors on our team but missed gerrard and torres in that game so let that be a warning.
Hope rooney makes it especially.

neal 07, south stand lower (21/10/2009 at 11:55)

The only teamtalk needed for Sunday is to make the players watch the DVD of the embarrasing 1-4 defeat last season, that should be more than enough to make them realise that it has to be put right!!!

The scousers are in a rapid decline, come on guys, scrap all this thought of taking a point and moving on to the next game...when are greatest rivals are down on their knees, we should kick them in the teeth and end their season, end of!!!! Attack from the start, scare the life out of them and get ahead early, their heads will drop and we should then do as SAF has asked for this week...be mean, be ruthless and finish them off!!!

Sunday has the signs of a great, great day and our little number 7 to score at the kop end!!!

Thats why were champions!!!

Balders!, W3106, Tier2 (21/10/2009 at 22:21)

Neal 07, wish i could share your optimism but remember last year, no half boy, no stevie me.....& they still beat us! Also imo, Roon & Fletch prob' won't make it for us, yet all their 3 big 'names' will !

You can tell my pint is always half empty.......then i never feel too let down if someone knocks it over !! ;)

Elb Owdeep (22/10/2009 at 10:17)

Edinburgh Red, I think you and Gilly Belgium should get together and hang out. What do you say?

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