Louis van Gaal has all-but confirmed Wayne Rooney will again be sidelined for Manchester United's Champions Lesgue opener against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.
The striker missed United's 3-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday after sustaining a hamstring injury in training following international duty and Van Gaal has said he won't take risks ahead of the trip to Holland.
The Red Devils return to Europe's leading club competition for the first time since David Moyes's side were defeated by Bayern Munich over two legs in the 2014 quarter-final.
But while Rooney will likely sit out of the game at the Philips Stadion, Van Gaal is hopeful he will be back in contention for United's visit to St. Mary's next weekend.
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The Dutchman said: "He is injured so we have to take care of him," he told MUTV. "I think he is very important for us and I don’t to take any risks so that’s why he doesn’t play [against Liverpool].
"I don’t think he will play against PSV Eindhoven, but maybe he shall play at Southampton. We have to wait and see if he can play ."against PSV because we still have three days to go."
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