Rooney a doubt for United

Wayne Rooney is a major doubt for
Manchester United's match against
Sunderland on Saturday due to the
combination of illness and a minor groin injury.

Interim manager Ryan Giggs said a number of United players have been struck down by illness, and are therefore unlikely to play in the Premier League clash at Old
Trafford.

Giggs said: "A few of the lads have had a bug. Anders Lindegaard has, and so has Wayne.

"Wayne has a tight groin also so obviously with the bug you have to be careful with that because his immune system is down.

"Wayne being Wayne, he wants to be involved so we will just monitor it over the next 24 hours."

Since United beat Norwich 4-0 in Giggs' first game in charge last Saturday, Juan Mata, Rooney and Lindegaard have backed the Welshman to be the club's long-term replacement for David Moyes, who was sacked last week just 10 months into a six- year contract.

United are believed to want a more
experienced man at the helm though and have held discussions with Holland coach Louis van Gaal.

The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach could be appointed early next week. Giggs is yet to decide whether he would like to be part of van Gaal's staff.

"Nothing has changed. (This job) is just until the end of the season," Giggs said.

"We will chat when the season is over.

"The main concentration I have is on the Sunderland game and then after that the remaining two games. I have a lot to think about - whether to continue playing...

"But my concentration is just on now. We will see what happens at the end of the season."

Giggs has been handed a boost ahead of the Sunderland game with the news that Robin van Persie is back in training.

The Dutch striker has been out with a knee unjury since scoring a match-winning hat- trick in United's victory over Olympiacos
on March 19.

"Robin has looked good in training this week," Giggs said. We will see (after training) today whether he is ready."