Man Utd Pre-Chelsea Team News: Moyes Confirms Rooney Blow + Update On Van Persie

Manchester United take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon looking to close in on the top four.

Ahead of the game boss David Moyes has been speaking at his pre-match press conference and gave ManUtd.com a team news and injury update with the latest on Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.

Moyes confirmed that Rooney has returned to training following a warn weather training camp in Egypt to recover from a groin injury and while the Scot describes his condition as ‘quite good’, he revealed that the 29-year-old will not be fit in time to take on Chelsea this weekend and he’s reluctant to set a comeback date for the forward.

Moyes told the clubs official website:

“Wayne’s come back, he’s fresh but he’s not ready for Chelsea,”

“He’s training, he’s on the grass, doing some running and looking quite good. He’s had a break, done a lot of strengthening work around his groin and hopefully enjoyed a few days in the sunshine as well. Hopefully he’ll benefit from it, but not for this game.

“I don’t want to put a date on it just now as I don’t want to say he’ll be fit for whatever game and then I find he’s not, but we’ve just got to take it bit by bit. I’ve watched him running today; he looks well and is in really good condition.

“He’s kept himself right and has worked with one of our fitness coaches, who travelled with him. Overall, we’re pleased and just hope we can get him back as quickly as we can. He’s an important player.”

This news will come as a body blow to United ahead of what could prove to be a pivotal game in their season. The defending champions head into the weekend sitting seventh in the table – 11 points off leaders Arsenal and 5 off fourth placed Liverpool.

Should they pick up a win at the Bridge it would put the Red Devils right back in the frame for a top four finish but defeat could see them drop 8 points off the pace which could put them out of touch with 16 games remaining.

Moyes was also asked for the latest on van Persie’s fitness with the striker still sidelined with a thigh injury that’s already kept him out for five weeks.

The United boss was more upbeat about the Dutchman and revealed he could return to training next week. He continued:

“I’m hoping Robin has a good chance of training at the start of next week, so if I can get him back out on the grass and back with us, it’ll be a great boost for us all,” Moyes explained.

“He’s a really important player and a player we’ve missed. But he’s getting closer now and most of them are getting closer to fitness, so let’s hope it’s not too long until we get them back.”

Getting RVP back on the pitch will be a major boost to United as they’ve sorely missed his presence up front in recent weeks. While they will be heading to the Capital without their best two strikers, United should have the duo back within the next 10-14 days which will be a huge fillip to Moyes and the club as we head into the second half of the season.

Will United be able to pull off a result against Chelsea without RVP and Rooney? Share your views below.