United may be missing Rooney

Manchester United may be forced to split up their dream strike duo of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie for this weekend's home clash with Sunderland.

The pair have supplied seven goals between them in the last two games and have started to show signs of developing a real understanding.

However, Rooney is struggling to face the Mackems and was forced to miss a book signing in Manchester on Tuesday due to a mystery virus.

United will continue to monitor the forward over the next 48 hours, but are concerned it could be a hangover from his recent bout of tonsillitis.

The Red Devils, however, are set to receive a welcome boost with the return of defender Nemanja Vidic from a three-month lay-off following a knee operation.

United are 1/5 to defeat Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, 13/2 to win by a 3-0 scoreline and 5/6 to keep a clean sheet.

If Rooney does fail to recover fully, van Persie is confident the striking ranks at Old Trafford can pick up the strain.

The Dutchman said: "When you have four strikers being so professional, it sets the tone for the others. Danny (Welbeck) and Javier (Hernandez) are both working hard.

"Everyone realises we are all in it together and we all need to do our bit."

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