Wayne Rooney has given Manchester United a big boost by being passed fit to lead the attack in Sunday’s derby while the champions will be without their key man David Silva for the next three weeks. Manchester City have lost their past two matches and Silva’s absence means Manuel Pellegrini will be without the player he identifies as his most vital, while United arrive at the Etihad Stadium with the record scorer in the fixture able to start. Radamel Falcao, though, will again be absent due to his calf problem.
Rooney was reportedly seen limping at a sponsor’s event on Monday, causing doubt about his participation. However, the striker is available to return following a three-match suspension. Louis van Gaal confirmed that Rooney, his captain, will go straight back into the team while denying that the striker was ever a doubt.
“Rooney was not injured, the media was writing that,” the United manager said. “He was never injured. Maybe his shoes were too tight, that is possible, but he was never injured. He shall play, he is my captain. That is all I can say to you because he is my captain and he shall play.”
With 11 goals Rooney is the record scorer in the Manchester derby, with eight of these coming in Premier League games – twice as many as Sergio Agüero or Edin Dzeko. Van Gaal is aware of Rooney’s success in the fixture. “I have heard that also he has scored a lot of goals against Manchester City, the most of any player. I said that to him to stimulate him buthe doesn’t need that. I am very happy that he can play again and he shall play,” he said.
Rooney can require a run of games to attain optimum physical condition. Yet despite having played only twice in October – for England – Van Gaal believes the 28-year-old will be match fit to face City.
“I think he is very fit because he is training very good,” said the manager. “That was also my surprise that he always is very sharp in training sessions. I said that already in the USA [on tour]. And he has continued that attitude so I am very happy. And I think he is very fit to play. I don’t have any doubts about playing him.”
Falcao, though, will not face City. “Falcao is still injured,” said the Dutchman, for whom Antonio Valencia is available again following a hamstring problem.
When assessing the two squads Van Gaal is clear he is not envious of City’s despite it including Yaya Touré, Silva, Agüero and Vincent Kompany. “I am not jealous of Manchester City’s squad. I am proud of my players and that is the most important thing and, when we play like a team, then we have a big chance to win.”
Victory over City would take United to within a point of their neighbours and provide a psychological fillip. “We are waiting on that boost because that can give you more than only the result,” said Van Gaal. “We have played very well against West Brom [drawing 2-2] and we had a draw against Chelsea [1-1], nobody expected that result but for me it was not enough and maybe the result against Manchester City shall give us that boost.”
Van Gaal has emphasised to his players the need to play the match, not the occasion. “That is the key because it will be an emotional game,” he said. “We don’t want a red card because when it is 11 against 10 it will be very difficult.
“That is a part of our preparation. In the dressing room I have to analyse what the atmosphere will be like and then I shall say things that are appropriate but the tactical way is the most important way.”
Silva will be out for three weeks with a knee ligament injury though Pellegrini is hopeful Touré, who has a groin problem, will be available. The manager started both Silva and Touré in Wednesday’s 2-0 Capital One Cup defeat by Newcastle United, when each suffered his respective problem.
Pellegrini said: “David has a problem in his ligament. Maybe he will be out around three weeks so he will not be available for the derby.
“Yaya has a small problem, we will see him tomorrow but I think he will not have any problems [being fit for the game].”
Of Silva he said: “He is a very important player but I think we have a squad and we have to replace him with another player,” he said, before discussing Touré’s indifferent form. “I think we are a team and in that team we need top players in their performance always.”
Despite their indifferent form Pellegrini believes City could finally click against United. “I’m sure our team will be again as a strong team and play maybe not as strong [as] the whole of last year but maybe as in the second half of last year,” he said. “We continue with our target for this season – to try to defend our title and to continue in the Champions League. Maybe last year we did better in the Capital One Cup but maybe this year we can win the FA Cup. It’s very difficult to know what will happen in the future.”
