Rooney sent to States

It means Rooney will miss the derby with Manchester City next Wednesday.

The Red Devils had hoped that Rooney would recover from an ankle problem in time to face their arch-rivals at Eastlands.

However, the 24-year-old, who recently ended speculation regarding his future by penning a new five-year contract, is not expected to be back in action for another three weeks.

Rather than use the state-of-the-art facilities at their Carrington training base, United have opted to use Nike's centre in Oregon, as much in a bid to get Rooney away from the constant headlines, which have dogged him since first news of his unhappiness at Old Trafford was raised nearly three weeks ago.

intensive conditioning

"What we are intending to do with Wayne is send him to Nike Town in the USA for a week's conditioning training," confirmed United assistant-manager Mike Phelan.

"We have decided, with Wayne, the medical team and the coaching staff that it would be the best thing for him.

"He is going on Saturday and will return the following Saturday.

"It is a week's intensive conditioning, under the supervision of our medical team and our sports' science department."

Phelan did raise the possibility that Rooney could be back for the home encounter with Wigan Athletic on 21st November, although there is little doubt United believe the chance of working away from the glare of publicity will aid Rooney's recovery programme.

"We have the facilities," he conceded.

"We just thought it might be in the interests of him and the club to have a change of scenery for a little while.

"He has had a lot of attention lately and we want to give him the best opportunity that he possibly can to be in good shape when he returns.

"He needs the conditioning. We all agree with that. He can go there without the attention he would get around here.

"If that goes according to plan, he will be available when he returns."

same virus

Aside from Rooney, for once the weekly medical bulletin was led by information on the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was left to Phelan to confirm Ferguson had been struck down by the same virus which prevented four members of his squad travelling to Turkey for the Champions League win over Bursaspor and keeps Darron Gibson out of Saturday's Barclays Premier League match at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"The manager has been ill since coming back from Turkey," said Phelan.

"He came down with a virus yesterday. He felt a little bit like that on the flight coming back.

"Yesterday he felt worse, so we have kept him away from the club for a little while.

"It is related to the virus that has been going around.

"It is one of those things that gets hold of you and is hard to shake off."