Rooney misses United training

Wayne Rooney was a notable absentee for the open section of Manchester United training ahead of their Champions League encounter with Benfica at Old Trafford.

The England striker was part of the Red Devils side that won at Swansea on Saturday and was expected to feature tomorrow in a game United need to win to maintain hopes of topping Group C.

However, Rooney was missing when the United squad were put through their paces at Carrington this morning, raising obvious fears about whether he will be fit to play.

There was no immediate word from United about whether Rooney was injured, with Sir Alex Ferguson likely to offer an update during this afternoon’s routine pre-match press conference.

Also absent was Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans.

Defender Chris Smalling and striker Danny Welbeck, who both missed the weekend trip to south Wales because of injury, trained in a small group away from the main session, although previously Ferguson had indicated Smalling might be fit for tomorrow’s game.

Long-term absentees Michael Owen and Tom Cleverley were not present but there was some good news with defender Patrice Evra, who has been suffering from a virus, part of the 21-man group which trained normally.