Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is expected to be sidelined for the next one month after sustaining a hamstring injury in training.
Rooney, 27, traveled with United squad to Thailand before the news broke out at the late hours of Thursday that the England international is “to fly home” from the club’s pre-season tour.
“It is anticipated Rooney will be unavailable for selection for a month,” a further tweet from the club’s new Tweeter (@ManUtd) account added.
He sustained the injury in training and, after a scan on Thursday, it was decided he would return to England for further assessment and rehabilitation.
The news will be a major concern for new manager David Moyes with the Community Shield against Wigan slated for 11 August, and his first Premier League game as United manager at Swansea on 17 August (in five weeks time).
The forward could also be doubtful for England’s friendly against Scotland on 14 August.
In his first public appearance as United boss last week, Moyes disclosed that the striker will not be sold, “Rooney remain a Manchester United player,” he said, despite transfer speculations linking him away from Old Trafford.
Another player who didn’t fly to Bangkok is Serbia international Nemanja Vidic who is expected t miss the start of the club’s pre-season tour because of sciatica (a pain stemming from nerves in his back).
But the club said the problem is not serious and the United captain is likely to join the tour in due course.
United begin their tour on 13 July against Singha All Star XI before traveling to Australia, Japan and Hong Kong.
Moyes has taken a 19-man squad, including former Crystal Palace winger Wifried Zaha, while Robin van Persie and David de Gea links up in Australia and Shinji Kagawa in Japan.
