Manchester United may have to do without September’s Player of the Month Wayne Rooney when they take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Rooney picked up a knock to the shin in training that forced him to sit out Wednesday’s Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.
While Moyes initially thought the injury was ‘not that serious’ Rooney’s potential absence poses a problem for the under-fire Scot.
With Robin van Persie still working his way back to full fitness and Javier Hernandez apparently not seen as a starter, Moyes is hoping to have his strongest players available.
“I’ve not seen Wayne this morning so I couldn’t give you an update yet,” he said at a press conference.
“It’s an important game we want to win. We’ll pick a team that we think can get a result.”
Rooney has been instrumental so far for the Reds scoring five goals in seven appearances and contributing four assists.
United haven’t lost to Sunderland in the league since 1997, and have only drawn twice in the past 12 meetings.
But despite the Black Cats being without a permanent manager after the sacking of Paulo Di Canio two weeks ago Moyes is wary of caretaker manager Kevin Ball.
“He’s very experienced, he knows the club and knows the players,” the United manager said.
“Sunderland look as if they played quite well in the last couple of games.”
United need a win on Wearside to begin an ascent up the table after dropping points against Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion.
However, they are not in good form, having failed to muster a league goal from open play since the opening game against Swansea.
If United lose at the Stadium of Light, it will be the first time in 12 years that United have lost three consecutive league games.
Moyes admitted that he is troubled by the recent results, last week’s defeat in particular, but vowed that there will be an improvement.
He said “I am concerned that we didn’t win against West Brom. That was the biggest concern.
“There is a long way to go in the Premier League. You’ll see great changes as the season goes on.”
Image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube, with thanks
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