Boss: Break Will Boost Rooney

David Moyes concedes losing Wayne Rooney to suspension for Saturday’s match with Newcastle is a “big loss”, though the manager believes the break will ultimately help the prolific Manchester United striker.

Rooney received his fifth yellow card of the season during Wednesday’s Barclays Premier League encounter with his former club Everton and is subsequently unavailable to face the Magpies at Old Trafford.

However, having played in 13 of United’s 14 top-flight fixtures this season, missing only the Liverpool match at Anfield in September, Moyes feels a rest will help Rooney maintain his white-hot scoring form throughout the traditionally hectic winter schedule.

“It is a big loss to lose Wayne,” the boss told reporters on Friday. “That was always going to be the case. We have not had a chance to rest him or give him a break. This has given us an opportunity. He is having Friday and Saturday off. They are probably the only days he has had off this year.

“Obviously we would rather him not be suspended. But he is and we have to try and make the most of it and keep Wayne fresh and ready to play because he has been in great form all season and we have been really pleased with him.”