Manchester United have trained without striker Wayne Rooney ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
As required by UEFA, United opened the doors of their Carrington training complex for the first 15 minutes of their pre-match session and Rooney, who will learn his fate later on Tuesday over a possible two-match ban for swearing, did not appear.
There was no official word from the Red Devils as to the reason for the 25-year-old England striker’s absence and it is still expected that he will play in the first leg.
However, it is possible that United wanted to keep him out of the spotlight as the club decide whether to contest an FA charge over his use of abusive language towards a cameraman in the 4-2 win at Upton Park this weekend. Rooney could be banned for the next Premier League game with Fulham and also the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley if found guilty.
There was good news for United though as long-term absentees Rio Ferdinand and Anderson both trained, raising the likelihood that they will be involved at Chelsea as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men look to gain a positive result that would leave them well placed to secure a semi-final encounter with either Inter Milan or Schalke.
The second leg will played at Old Trafford next Tuesday.
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
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