Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's clash with Chelsea on Sunday with a muscular injury, Sky sources understand.
Rooney sustained the injury in training and has not travelled to London with the rest of the United squad ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge, live on Sky Sports.
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The United squad left for the capital without their captain on Saturday afternoon, making the trip south by train from Stockport.
The England skipper has only been on the bench for United's last three Premier League games but he did start their 4-1 Europa League win over Fenerbahce on Thursday.
Rooney's last Premier League start came in the 3-1 defeat at Watford, after which he was on the receiving end of a deal of criticism from supporters.
Whether he would have retained his place on Sunday is doubtful, but his expected absence should open the door for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to return to the line-up.
The Sweden great dropped to the bench for their European match in midweek along with Marcus Rashford, but both could be recalled against the Blues.
Victory in west London would move United above Chelsea into fifth place in the table but they have only won once in the Premier League since the end of August.
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