Louis van Gaal Confirms Fresh Injury Blow Following Everton Defeat

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Wayne Rooney suffered an injury during the closing stages of today’s 3-0 defeat to Everton.

Rooney started up front against his boyhood team at Goodison Park this afternoon but was forced off in the 88th minute after suffering a knee injury.

The United skipper was replaced by Dutchman Robin van Persie for the final few minutes and the striker was seen in the dugout with an ice pack strapped around his leg.

Speaking to ManUtd.com after the game, Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Rooney has picked up a knee injury but the severity of the problem is not yet known.

The boss said:

“Yes, Rooney was injured. He had a shot on his knee, so we have to wait and see how heavy (serious) it is.”

Rooney will now undergo tests over the coming days to determine the full extent of the injury but it will be a major blow if the striker is ruled out for any length of time.

The injury was another low point on what was a disappointing day for United as they lost 3-0 to the Toffees thanks to goals from James McCarthy, John Stones and Kevin Mirallas.

With just four games left of the Premier League season, United sit fourth in the table and two points adrift of Man City and Arsenal, so they will be hoping Rooney’s injury isn’t a serious one and he’ll be available to help the 20-time champions push for second place.

The good news for van Gaal is that van Persie is now fit again so he could replace Rooney if the England international is ruled out for any of the renaming games against West Brom, Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Hull.