Getty Images Put away those Jump to Conclusions Mats, Manchester United fans. And tear up those tin foil hats while you’re at it. By and large, Wayne Rooney is fine despite missing today’s carnival against Newcastle. Though that doesn’t mean he’s fully fit, either.
After Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the visiting Magpies, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson divulged Rooney suffered a knee injury while hitting a volley at the end of Tuesday practice. The result, per Ferguson, is Rooney suffering “strained a ligament behind the knee.
“It’s unfortunate, and he could be out for two to three weeks.”
It’s the type of injury which would be suspicious were it suffered right before an international break. Since the next FIFA date isn’t for a month and a half, we can table our cynicism. This knock seems legit.
However, if you have to pick a time for a player to miss three weeks, this is as good a stretch as any. Though the Red Devils made a meal of it, Newcastle at home is not a tough match. Coming up, the league leaders will get West Brom, Wigan, West Ham, and Liverpool. That certainly could be worse.
While Manchester United is destined to find the most difficult way to approach each match, they’ll also have a chance to learn how to play without Rooney. Particularly in the midfield (where Rooney’s tendency to drop help augments United’s weaknesses), the Red Devil midfielders could do to stand out their own two feet.
Michael Carrick has been quietly great in a regista-esque role, but everything between him and Rooney has been a sinkhole. Ferguson needs somebody to step up.
Three weeks without Rooney will give somebody that chance. Ideally, that player is Tom Cleverley, already the person Ferguson’s turning to in big matches. But it could be Anderson, Darren Fletcher, or Paul Scholes.
Heading into the Jan. 13 North West derby (which Rooney’s unlikely to miss), a series of players have a chance to show they can help offset Liverpool’s three-man middle. Now’s the time to step up.
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Seattle overtakes Dallas in a starburst of offensive soccer
May 19, 2013, 12:48 AM EDT
The Sounders exploit Dallas’ young back line in a meeting of two Western Conference teams in top form. Final score: 4-2 for the Sounders:
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Getty Images
Juan Agudelo makes his New England debut as Jay Heaps posts one of the best wins of his young coaching career:
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A real injury concern for Portland as Darlington Nagbe falls
May 18, 2013, 8:05 PM EDT
The young Timbers’ attacker is having an outstanding season for the Jeld-Wen Field bunch:
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Federico Higuain steals the show for Columbus in a road win over Toronto
May 18, 2013, 7:38 PM EDT
Higuain created the game’s only goal and was masterful in possession at BMO Field:
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PSG president confirms Saturday was likely David Beckham’s farewell match
May 18, 2013, 6:44 PM EDT
Reuters
An appearance next week in Paris Saint-Germain’s final match 2012-13 season doesn’t seem to be in the plans for the retiring superstar:
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As Alex Ferguson says goodbye, Manchester United’s cupboard remains stocked
May 18, 2013, 3:15 PM EDT
Reuters
Depth at United will allow David Moyes to hut big game this offseason.
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Wherein MLS expansion becomes the new David Beckham transfer rumor
May 18, 2013, 2:40 PM EDT
David Beckham’s not dropping off your radar anytime soon.
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Roberto Mancini takes out full page thank you ad in Manchester Evening News
May 18, 2013, 1:17 PM EDT
Manchester City’s former boss reaches out to his supportive fan base – his first public comments since his Monday dismissal.
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Bayern Munich finish German season 25 points ahead of Borussia Dortmund
May 18, 2013, 12:28 PM EDT
Getty Images
Mercifully, the season’s come to an end for the 17 clubs who tried to keep pace with Bayern Munich.
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Ferguson, on Mancini’s Manchester City dismissal: ‘It is quite amazing’
May 18, 2013, 11:40 AM EDT
Manchester United’s outgoing boss was amazed but not surprised at his rival’s dismissal.
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England’s top four: Games that matter in the English Premier League’s last round
May 18, 2013, 10:22 AM EDT
Relegation’s decided. So’s the title and two of the league’s Europa League spots. All that’s left? The battle for top four.
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AP
Russian oligarchs, third-party ownership, tax havens, and €60 million moves. This one has everything.
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Jamie Carragher set to close out his 16-year career at Anfield
May 18, 2013, 8:11 AM EDT
AP
One of the Premier League’s one-club men says goodbye at Anfield.
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Getty Images
Brest and FC Lorient will be the opposition for retiring midfielder’s final two pro matches:





