Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has indicated he will leave Wayne Rooney at home when his side travels to Holland for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven.
The Red Devils begin their quest to get out of their Champions League group at the home of the Dutch champions, with Rooney set to miss the game due to a hamstring injury.
The United skipper picked up the problem in training ahead of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Liverpool and watched from the stands as Van Gaal’s men made it three successive wins over their big rivals.
The Dutchman has since indicated that Rooney will not be ready for United’s Champions League opener, but he is hopeful he could return at the weekend against Southampton.
Van Gaal said: “I don’t think he will play. He is injured so we have to take care of him. I think he is very important for us and I don’t want to take any risks, so that’s why he didn’t play against Liverpool.
“We have to wait and see if he can play against PSV because we still have days to go. I don’t think he will but maybe he shall play at Southampton.”
The injury to Rooney leaves Van Gaal short of attacking options, with Marouane Fellaini having led the line against Liverpool.
The Belgian looks likely to do the same against PSV Eindhoven, although new signing Anthony Martial could get the nod up front after stepping off the bench to score on his debut for United on Saturday.
United are 11/10 to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start, while PSV are 5/2 and the draw is 12/5. Memphis Depay is 13/8 to score anytime on his return to his former club.
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