Wayne Rooney doubtful for Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven

Rooney expected to be back for the Premier League clash against Southampton next week

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is likely to miss his side’s Champions League opener against PSV Eindhoven as revealed by manager Louis van Gaal, reports the club’s official website.

Following a hamstring injury during squad training before the Liverpool game, the 29-year-old was forced to sit out of the clash which United won 3-1 at the Old Trafford with goals coming from Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and debutant Anthony Martial. But the injury seems to have persisted after van Gaal hinted that the England international is doubtful for his side’s trip to Netherlands this week.

However, the Dutch boss has stated that he will most certainly be fit by the end of this week and return to face Southampton on September 20 in their next Premier League fixture.

"He is injured so we have to take care of him," van Gaal told MUTV. "I think he is very important for us and I don’t to take any risks so that’s why he doesn’t play today.

"I don’t think he will play against PSV Eindhoven, but maybe he shall play at Southampton. We have to wait and see if he can play against PSV because we still have three days to go."

Martial amazes everyone on his debut

United return to the Champions League group stages after a season as they failed to make it to the elite tournament last term. The Red Devils were drawn against Club Brugge in the play offs which they won 7-1 over two legs with Ronney netting a hattrick in the second leg which ensured their place among the final 32 of the competition.

The England forward also carved his name on English football’s history books after he broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing goal-scoring record in his 107^th cap for England against Switzerland which they won 2-0.

Van Gaal’s team put on a convincing performance against bitter rivals Liverpool despite being short on attacking options at home. Marouane Fellaini started up front in place of Rooney as part of van Gaal’s experiment but couldn’t do much in his new role. Goals from Daley Blind and Ander Herrera gave United a 2-0 lead over the Merseysiders but Christian Benteke’s wonder volley instilled some hope among the Reds faithful.

But debutant Anthony Martial stole the show in the final minutes of the match after he came on as a substitute shortly after the hour mark to relplace Juan Mata and scored a beautiful goal from a solo run thus announcing himself in the Premier League.