Rooney unlikely to start for United against Sunderland

Striker Wayne Rooney is a major doubt for Manchester United’s match against Sunderland as he is ill and also has a tight groin.

Fellow striker Robin van Persie will be assessed on Friday to see whether he has recovered from the knee injury which has sidelined him since March 19.

Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard (illness) and defender Rafael (thigh) are doubts while interim player-manager Ryan Giggs has said he is unlikely to name himself in the match day squad.

Provisional squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Evans, Buttner, Evra, Giggs, Carrick, Nani, Young, Fletcher, Valencia, Kagawa, Fellaini, Mata, Januzaj, Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck, Van Persie.