MANCHESTER UNITED CAPTAIN Wayne Rooney has been passed fit for the Manchester derby on Sunday, manager Louis van Gaal said on Friday.
However, Radamel Falcao has been ruled out of the clash with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
Van Gaal dismissed reports England striker Rooney was suffering from a foot injury and said his skipper would be fit to start at Eastlands after serving a three-game suspension.
But Falcao, who missed the last two games following a kick in training, is still injured and the Colombian will miss the match at City.
Some reports suggested Rooney was doubtful after he was apparently seen hobbling at a sponsor’s event at Old Trafford on Monday.
“Rooney was not injured. The media was writing that but he was never injured,” Van Gaal told a news conference on Friday.
“Maybe his shoes were too tight, that is possible. But he was never injured and he shall play. He is my captain.”
However, turning to Falcao, Van Gaal added: “Falcao is still injured.”
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But Rooney’s return is a boost for the Dutch boss, especially as the forward has scored 11 goals against City, notably the dramatic overhead kick which sealed a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in February 2011.
“I have heard that also he has scored a lot of goals against Manchester City, the most of any player,” said Van Gaal. “I said that to him to stimulate him but he doesn’t need that.
“I am very happy that he can play again and he shall play,” the Dutchman added.
PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
(Manchester City’s David Silva sits injured on the pitch before being substituted during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match during the week)
“It is not the greatest moment of Manchester City,” said Van Gaal ahead of his first Manchester derby.
“What we have seen of Manchester City in the last matches was not so good.
“We have a good feeling about this match.”
However, Van Gaal warned his players not to get too caught up in the fervour of a derby clash and said it was important they retained their composure.
“We don’t have to accelerate this feeling because it is football and you have to play the game, not only a game with emotion but also in a tactical way.
“For me, I have to analyse and prepare for the games in the same manner (as the other matches).”
United make the trip across Manchester knowing a win would close the gap between themselves and City to just a point.
Meanwhile, Man City midfielder David Silva will miss Sunday’s derby against Manchester United and could be out of action for up to a month with a knee injury, manager Manuel Pellegrini said Friday.
Silva was injured during the early stages of holders City’s 2-0 League Cup defeat at home to Newcastle United on Wednesday after a clash with the Magpies’ Ryan Taylor.
“Manuel Pellegrini confirms that @21LVA will miss Sunday’s game. Will be out for 3-4 weeks,” City said on Twitter on Friday.
Silva is now also out of City’s potentially decisive Champions League group match against CSKA Moscow and the Premier League fixture away to Queens Park Rangers.
He is also doubtful for Spain’s upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Belarus and a friendly with Germany.
“David has a problem in his ligament,” City manager Pellegrini added at a news conference on Friday.
“Maybe he will be out around three weeks so he will not be available for the derby.
“He is a very important player but I think we have a squad and we have to replace him with another player.”
Midfield star Yaya Toure came off as a precaution during the Newcastle defeat due to a groin problem but Pellegrini was optimistic the Ivory Coast international would feature in the derby.
“Yaya has a small problem. We will see him on Saturday but I think he will not have any problems,” the Chilean boss said.
Meanwhile Samir Nasri appears to have made a successful return to action in midweek after seven games out following groin surgery.
Premier League champions City have gone three games without a win in all competitions and could be nine points behind leaders Chelsea by the time they kick-off against United at Eastlands on Sunday if Jose Mourinho’s table-toppers beat struggling QPR on Saturday.
Rooney gets Manchester derby all-clear from Van Gaal, David Silva ruled out
Updated at 17.23
MANCHESTER UNITED CAPTAIN Wayne Rooney has been passed fit for the Manchester derby on Sunday, manager Louis van Gaal said on Friday.
However, Radamel Falcao has been ruled out of the clash with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
Van Gaal dismissed reports England striker Rooney was suffering from a foot injury and said his skipper would be fit to start at Eastlands after serving a three-game suspension.
But Falcao, who missed the last two games following a kick in training, is still injured and the Colombian will miss the match at City.
Some reports suggested Rooney was doubtful after he was apparently seen hobbling at a sponsor’s event at Old Trafford on Monday.
“Maybe his shoes were too tight, that is possible. But he was never injured and he shall play. He is my captain.”
However, turning to Falcao, Van Gaal added: “Falcao is still injured.”
But Rooney’s return is a boost for the Dutch boss, especially as the forward has scored 11 goals against City, notably the dramatic overhead kick which sealed a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in February 2011.
“I am very happy that he can play again and he shall play,” the Dutchman added.
(Manchester City’s David Silva sits injured on the pitch before being substituted during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match during the week)
“It is not the greatest moment of Manchester City,” said Van Gaal ahead of his first Manchester derby.
“We have a good feeling about this match.”
However, Van Gaal warned his players not to get too caught up in the fervour of a derby clash and said it was important they retained their composure.
“We don’t have to accelerate this feeling because it is football and you have to play the game, not only a game with emotion but also in a tactical way.
United make the trip across Manchester knowing a win would close the gap between themselves and City to just a point.
Meanwhile, Man City midfielder David Silva will miss Sunday’s derby against Manchester United and could be out of action for up to a month with a knee injury, manager Manuel Pellegrini said Friday.
Silva was injured during the early stages of holders City’s 2-0 League Cup defeat at home to Newcastle United on Wednesday after a clash with the Magpies’ Ryan Taylor.
Silva is now also out of City’s potentially decisive Champions League group match against CSKA Moscow and the Premier League fixture away to Queens Park Rangers.
He is also doubtful for Spain’s upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Belarus and a friendly with Germany.
“David has a problem in his ligament,” City manager Pellegrini added at a news conference on Friday.
“Maybe he will be out around three weeks so he will not be available for the derby.
Midfield star Yaya Toure came off as a precaution during the Newcastle defeat due to a groin problem but Pellegrini was optimistic the Ivory Coast international would feature in the derby.
Meanwhile Samir Nasri appears to have made a successful return to action in midweek after seven games out following groin surgery.
Premier League champions City have gone three games without a win in all competitions and could be nine points behind leaders Chelsea by the time they kick-off against United at Eastlands on Sunday if Jose Mourinho’s table-toppers beat struggling QPR on Saturday.
© – AFP 2014
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