Moyes hopeful over Rooney

Manchester - Manchester United manager David Moyes is hopeful that Wayne Rooney will be back over the Christmas period after the England striker missed the League Cup quarter-final win over Stoke on Wednesday night.

Rooney was not included in the squad that won 2-0 at Stoke to advance to the last four due to an unspecified injury.

Rooney was withdrawn from United's match at Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend "although there has been no confirmation as to the extent of the problem," United said.

With United already 10 points behind leader Arsenal in the league standings and Robin van Persie also sidelined with a thigh injury, Rooney's injury comes at a bad time for United. The club plays four league games between December 21 and January 1.

When asked whether Rooney would be fit over the festive period, Moyes said: "We hope so."

- AP