Father-to-be Rooney facing baby dilemma
Father-to-be Rooney, who helped United beat German champions Wolfsburg 2-1 on Wednesday to go top of Group B, insists he expects join the trip on October 21 but could be forced to pull out if the baby arrives early.
The striker said: “I’ll have to decide what to do because she’s due a few days after. It’s a long way to Moscow but I have a job to play for United and unless anything changes I’ll be there. That’s the way I’m looking at it.
“But of course I want to be there for the birth of my child and if anything happens around the date of travelling then I’m sure I’ll stay back and won’t go. But unless that happens I’ll be there playing.”
It’s a big decision for Rooney as this will be the couple’s first baby and if it does arrive ahead of schedule United are certain to give the striker permission to stay at home.
However, the match in Moscow is a big game for United who will have one foot in the second round if they can make it three victories in a row by winning in Russia.
And the trip will also bring back fond memories for Rooney who helped United beat Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow in 2008.
He said: “It’s a difficult game but we’re really looking forward to going there again. It was such a great night for the club when we won the Champions League in Moscow and hopefully we can get the same result again.
“We’ve got six points from two games and that’s all we can ask for. Hopefully now we can get maximum points out of the next two games and get through quickly.”
The only frustration for United, who face Sunderland in the Premier League tomorrow, was the sight of Michael Owen limping off against Wolfsburg with a groin injury that is likely to keep him out for up to three weeks.
But Rooney’s improving partnership with Dimitar Berbatov, who came on to replace Owen, was the key to victory over Wolfsburg and could play a big part in the team’s title challenge, too.
Rooney said: “I think the partnership is getting better and going well. He’s played some good football even though he’s had some unfair criticism. His body language doesn’t look as if he’s working but he is. He’s a fantastic player.
“We are looking forward to facing Sunderland now. We’re delighted we went top of the table last weekend and just want to kick on from there.”
Rooney insists United have shown their critics there is life after Cristiano Ronaldo.
The England striker believes the squad have responded to Ronaldo’s departure by playing more as a team, yet have been getting some unfair stick.
Rooney said: “Personally I think we came in for some unfair criticism at the start of the season because, although we weren’t playing as well as we can do, we were still winning games.
“Yes we lost to Burnley but we have won every game since and yet this week we still got criticised.
“Of course that’s always going to happen with a club of this size but we bounced back really well, went top of the league last weekend and are looking to carry on from there.”
Rooney conceded that Ronaldo was a dominant figure for United but believes the team’s whole style has now changed.
He added: “Obviously last season the team was based a lot around Cristiano but this year there’s a few more players chipping in with goals, which is great to see.”
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