Wayne
Rooney will start Sunday’s Manchester derby but United manager Louis van
Gaal will once again be without Radamel Falcao, who is still injured.
Rooney
is back from suspension and fit to captain United against Manchester
City at the Etihad Stadium after being seen limping at Old Trafford
earlier this week.
Colombia striker Falcao remains sidelined, however, after the knock he picked up in training a week ago.
United boss Louis van Gaal was all smiles during the session as he embarks on his first Manchester derby
Juan Mata, Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney, Ander Herrera and Robin van Persie (left to right) train
Radamel Falcao misses out again having been sidelined for the draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday
Van Gaal told a press conference on Friday afternoon: 'Rooney is fine, he was never injured.
'Maybe he was wearing his shoes too tight.
'He is my captain and he will start the game.
'Falcao is still injured but [Antonio] Valencia is back.'
Rooney
joined the rest of his United team-mates at the launch of the club's
sponsorship with Bulova watches and he also wore a Matalan Alphabet
scarf in support of Alder Hey Children's Hospital Charity
Manchester United captain Rooney has been suspended since his red card against West Ham last month
Carrick (front) is in contention to play his first game of the season for United after an ankle injury
Van
Gaal, looking forward to his first Manchester derby, says it will be
the biggest local rivalry that he has managed, and recognises what it
means to the city.
'This
is the biggest derby that I shall manage. It is one of 38 [league]
matches we have to play, but for the fans it is unbelievably big as a
rivalry and I have felt that also with a lot of the players in the
squad, but also especially with Ryan Giggs.
'When he presented the analysis on City, I felt more tension with him. It was good to see.'
Angel di Maria appeared in a relaxed mood during Manchester United's training session on Friday
Marcos Rojo (left) and Antonio Valencia could be two of many South Americans involved at the Etihad
The return of Rooney (left) to the line-up is likely to mean Mata (right) will be dropped to the bench against City
The Dutchman also recognises that the derby is up for grabs, with City without a win in three games.
They
lost in midweek to Newcastle and at the weekend to West Ham, having
disappointingly only drawn in CSKA Moscow after leading 2-0.
Van Gaal admits City are there to be beaten.
He
said. 'That is our goal, to win. It is possible, we are growing, we are
developing ourselves. What we have seen of City in the last few matches
was not so good. You never know.'
Marouane has had a resurgence in recent weeks, and could start against City on SUnday
One
player who could be key to United's chances is Marouane Fellaini, whose
performances over the past two games have seen him back to his best.
Van Gaal things so too.
'He has made a great contribution and also the assist for the [Chelsea] goal.
'He
has had a lot of time out injured but when he is fit I have played him.
He has to continue with that because then I am very pleased.'
United
lost their two clashes with City by an aggregate score of 7-1 last
term; 4-1 at the Etihad and 3-0 at Old Trafford under David Moyes.
United attempt to regroup at the Etihad during last year's 4-1 defeat to their cross-city rivals
Yaya Toure was on song as United were beaten 3-0 by City towards the end of last season
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