Such a lay-off would force Rooney to miss the remainder of United’s season, with Louis van Gaal’s team facing four games between now and May 24, although the club remain hopeful that the injury will subside sufficiently for the captain to return to action this term. Van Gaal will deliver a definitive update on Rooney’s condition on Friday, but the Dutchman will have been boosted by Van Persie scoring twice in a 4-1 reserve-team win at Fulham last night.