• Champions League

Rooney absent from training ahead of Benfica

ESPN staff
November 21, 2011
Wayne Rooney was in the wars against Swansea © PA Photos
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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was a notable absentee from training ahead of Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Benfica at Old Trafford.

Rooney was part of the United side that beat Swansea 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday and was expected to feature against Benfica with the Red Devils needing to win to maintain hopes of topping Group C.

However, Rooney was missing when the United squad were put through their paces at the club's Carrington complex on Monday morning, raising obvious fears about whether he will be fit to play.

There was no immediate word from United about whether Rooney was injured, with Sir Alex Ferguson likely to offer an update during his scheduled pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon.

Centre-back Jonny Evans was also absent, while defender Chris Smalling and striker Danny Welbeck, who both missed the weekend trip to south Wales because of injury, trained in a small group away from the main session, although previously Ferguson had indicated Smalling might be fit for Tuesday's game.

Long-term absentees Michael Owen and Tom Cleverley were not present but there was some good news with defender Patrice Evra, who has been suffering from a virus, part of the 21-man group which trained normally.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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