What's worrying Wayne?

Striker Wayne Rooney is set to miss the opening match of Manchester United's Premier League campaign on 17 August after picking up a virus.

The 22-year-old contracted the mystery virus on United's pre-season tour of Nigeria and has not trained since.

"I doubt Wayne will be fit for the start of the season," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It's a virus he picked up in Nigeria and it's not a nice one. He's not been back in training yet."

Ferguson revealed Rooney's illness was diagnosed by the club's own laboratory.

He also added that the squad had only taken malaria tablets ahead of the trip to Africa.

Rooney's illness leaves Ferguson facing a selection dilemma ahead of the opening match of the season at home to Newcastle...................

...............Rooney's problems could also reignite Ferguson's interest in signing Tottenham forward Dimitar Berbatov.

As it stands, Ferguson has only Carlos Tevez, untested youngster Fraizer Campbell and Louis Saha to choose from up front.

"I don't know whether we will have a team ready," said Ferguson. "Nani is suspended, Anderson is in the Olympic Games.

"(Michael) Carrick's come in this morning and he may play a part of the game on Sunday."

Rooney had sat on the sidelines when Manchester United played FA Cup winners Portsmouth in a friendly in Abuja on 27 July.

He then missed his club's two subsequent pre-season fixtures against Espanyol and Peterborough.

The virus means he could also miss England's friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley on 20 August.


Someone should tell me what is wrong with Wayne? Na only him come Naija? What is he suggesting? That there are strange viruses flying around in the Nigerian air?
Wayne Rooney had better tell us the truth. He fit don go carry Domitilla. He come dey tok strange sickness. Make dem send am back to Naija make him go see babalawo, dat one fit give am otumokpo wey go heal am.
Ministry of Internal Affairs should better handle this issue.
Rooney, talk truth!