Rooney doubt ahead of Moscow match

Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2009 by PA

Wayne Rooney's participation in Manchester United's Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night is in doubt after the birth of his first child.

The 24-year-old forward missed training on Monday morning in order to be with his wife, Coleen, who gave birth to Kai Wayne Rooney later that day.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is already without central defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand (both knee), while Ryan Giggs (hip) has also already been ruled out.

Rooney's strike partner Dimitar Berbatov is also doubtful after taking a blow on the kneecap against Blackburn on Saturday so Ferguson could be partnering Michael Owen with Federico Macheda in attack as United look for the win required to send them into the knockout phase with two games to spare.

Park Ji-sung will not be considered either, with Ferguson confirming the South Korean has been put on a two-week fitness programme after suffering a series of minor ailments.

The good news for Ferguson is that captain Gary Neville is back from suspension and Scotland star Darren Fletcher will start after a month out with an ankle injury.

Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans will play in central defence with Wes Brown, who has been blighted by injury since the 2008 Champions League triumph in Moscow, when he occupied the right-back berth.

"The great thing for Wes Brown is that he has remained fit this year," said Ferguson.

"Last season, he had a terrible run of injuries. But the previous year, he made the most appearances and played in the final in Moscow.

"When he is fit and we bring him in there is no better defender in the country. He is a real true defender."

Leonid Slutski faces United in his first European outing as CSKA Moscow coach following his appointment on a three-year contract last week.

Slutski arrives as Juande Ramos' successor with a growing reputation, having built on his work at FC Moscow by guiding FC Krylya to sixth spot and a European spot for the first time in their history last season.

Beaten at the Luzhniki Stadium a fortnight ago, CSKA are unlikely to prevent United sealing their place in the knock-out phase with two matches to spare.

However, Igor Akinfeev has plenty of reasons to impress having been linked with a move to United during the January transfer window.

"I have heard the speculation but it is just talk, nothing else," he said.

"I cannot look at this match from a personal perspective. The career of every footballer grows from such games.

"We are playing a legendary team in a legendary stadium. It will be an inspirational game, the most important in our careers."