Wayne Rooney was left behind by José Mourinho when Manchester United’s 20-man squad flew to Rotterdam on Tuesday for Thursday night’s Europa League opening group match against Feyenoord.
Rooney was, however, part of 23-strong group who trained on Wednesday morning at the club’s Carrington base. The forward may be being rested by Mourinho and the manager will clarify this at the press conference he is due to hold at the De Kuip stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Mourinho will also explain why Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia were not in the travelling party despite also training. Two other notable absentees are Phil Jones and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, though each is understood to be injured.
Mourinho has previously stated that the Europa League will allow him to give game time to players who have seen little or no action. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in the squad despite the 34-year-old Swede having started all four of United’s Premier League games, plus the Community Shield win against Leicester City.
Marcus Rashford will be given his first United start of the season, the manager has said.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1, probable): De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Bailly, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Carrick; Depay, Mata, Young; Rashford.
Subs from: Johnstone, Romero, Ibrahimovic, Pogba, Fellaini, Fosu-Mensah, Mata, Herrera, Martial.
