Blow for Moyes with Rooney likely to MISS Chelsea trip despite warm-weather break.

Manager David Moyes was hoping to have his talisman back fit after the break in Egypt

 

 Wayne Rooney is unlikely to be fit for Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea on Sunday, with the England striker only rated as 50-50 for the Capital One Cup semi-final against Sunderland three days later.

The United players were given Wednesday off but Rooney is expected back into Carrington on Thursday following his warm-weather break in Egypt.

 He has been doing some fitness work with United’s head of human performance Richard Hawkins – who accompanied him on a similar trip to Portland in 2010 – as well as spending time with his wife Coleen and their young family

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 Although it is understood to have gone well, United are reluctant to risk Rooney at Stamford Bridge despite the importance of the game and continued absence of his strike partner Robin van Persie.

David Moyes has been trying to manage the problem by playing Rooney in only three of the last eight matches, but the United boss admitted that has failed to cure the problem.

‘We look as if we could bring him in but then he may have to drop out again, so we just want to nip it in the bud,’ said Moyes last week.

‘He also needs a bit of strengthening work in that area, so he will continue working (in Egypt) because I want to keep him in good shape. We’ve sent somebody with him and hopefully we can get him back and ready to go again.’

Hawkins has been reporting back to United’s medical staff who will assess Rooney’s progress on Thursday.

Moyes may yet be tempted to take a gamble on him at Chelsea but the indications are that Rooney faces a race to be fit for the Sunderland game on Wednesday when United try to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.