Wayne Rooney Misses Man United Game With Sunderland As Ryan Giggs Makes Five Changes to Starting Line-Up

Posted by

Rooney fails to prove fitness, as United opt for Chicharito, supported by Mata, in attack.

Check in to Manchester United vs Sunderland

England forward Wayne Rooney has not been included in Manchester United’s matchday squad for this afternoon’s Premier League clash with Sunderland at Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old, who scored twice during last weekend’s 4-0 win over Norwich City, has been omitted to give him more time to recover from an illness and a minor groin injury.

Javier Hernandez replaces Rooney up front, while Danny Welbeck drops to the bench to make way for attacking midfielder Juan Mata, who bagged a brace as a substitute against Norwich.

In total, Giggs has made five changes to his starting XI. Nani, Ashley Young and Darren Fletcher come in, while Tom Cleverley, Shinji Kagawa and Antonio Valencia go out.

Cleverley and Kagawa do not even make the bench, which includes the likes of  Robin van Persie, Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj.

Sunderland have named an unchanged starting XI following last Sunday’s 4-0 thrashing of Cardiff City.

Once again, Connor Wickham, who has scored five goals in his last three games, partners Liverpool loanee Fabio Borini in attack.

Manchester United: De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, Carrick, Nani, Young; Mata; Hernandez.

Subs: Smalling, Welbeck, van Persie, Valencia, Fellaini, Amos, Januzaj.

Sunderland: Mannone; Vergini, O’Shea, Brown, Alonso; Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, Johnson; Wickham, Borini.

Subs: Bardsley, Altidore, Ba, Giaccherini, Bridcutt, Scocco, Ustari.

More Stories Manchester United FC Sunderland FC