• Premier League

Rooney sent away for warm-weather training

Manchester United have received another blow in their troubled season as Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of Saturday's game against Swansea.

The England international, who has missed United's last two games with a persistent groin problem, has gone away for some winter sun to recuperate.

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And Red Devils manager David Moyes hopes his top scorer will be available for the trip to Chelsea on January 19.

He said: "We've sent him away on a hot-weather break with his family. His groin isn't quite recovered yet so we've sent the fitness coach with him too. Hopefully we can get him fit for Chelsea but we'll see how he is."

Moyes, whose team have lost their last three games, will be without his two premier centre-forwards for the visit of Swansea.

Robin van Persie has missed United's last eight games with a thigh problem and although the Netherlands international has resumed full training, Moyes is cautious about his prospects of returning soon.

He added: "Robin is going to be a little while. We'll do everything we can to get him back quickly."

Without Rooney, who has scored 11 goals for United this season, and Van Persie, who has struck 10 times, Moyes only has two fit senior strikers, in Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez.

Nani, Marouane Fellaini and Rio Ferdinand are also sidelined for the rematch with Swansea, who won 2-1 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup on Sunday.

But Moyes was keen to point out his side recorded six successive victories before losing their last three games.

He said: "Not winning can obviously affect your confidence. But we weren't talking about confidence when we won six in a row."

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