WAYNE ROONEY WILL step up his return from a knee injury by playing for Manchester United’s U21s side on Monday evening.
The 30-year-old has been sidelined with a knee injury since 13 February, but will play at least a half against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Monday.
“He shall play on Monday 60 minutes to see how he is doing,” said Louis van Gaal.
“He is more than two months out of the game. Of course he is a great striker, but he has to show already if he is in a certain shape. It is always like that.”
Rooney is eligible to play because clubs are allowed to field three outfield players over the age of 21.
In Rooney’s absence, United slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday and Van Gaal resorted to playing Ashley Young as a striker in the second half.
“I wanted more running in behind,” the Dutchman explained.
“I think we had chances to do that, because Spurs are like that with full-backs who come up, so you need running in deep, and Ashley has done that very well for the U21s and it was not Marcus’ best game.
“Martial is a player who wants the ball to his feet.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
