Charge leaves Rooney facing semi-final absence

Wayne Rooney will head into tomorrow night’s Champions League quarter-final showdown with Chelsea knowing he will almost certainly miss the next significant assignment on Manchester United’s treble quest.

Despite issuing an apology on Saturday evening, in which the England striker attempted to explain the reasons for his foul-mouthed celebration into a TV camera after completing his hat-trick in United’s 4-2 comeback win over West Ham, Rooney has still been hit with a Football Association charge.