Rooney Fit For Southampton Game

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed Wayne Rooney is fit to start against Southampton on Sunday.

Rooney missed the 3-1 win over Liverpool last weekend and Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven after injuring his hamstring in training.

The United captain's return in the Sky Live clash at St Mary's is a welcome boost for the club after England left-back Luke Shaw suffered a broken leg in the Champions League Group B opener in the Netherlands.

Van Gaal revealed central defender Phil Jones is also nearing a return to action after missing time with thrombosis.

Speaking to reporters at his press conference, the Dutchman said: "Shaw's injury is a big loss but Rooney is fit to play against Southampton and Jones has trained with the group."

Shaw is expected to return from to Manchester on Saturday after undergoing a second operation on his broken leg in Eindhoven on Friday.

Sky sources understand the surgery is a planned operation to close the wound, with doctors unwilling to let him travel until they are satisfied there is no risk of infection.

Van Gaal revealed the 20-year-old remains in good spirits but did acknowledge the loss of Shaw, who was one of United's best performers this season, is a huge blow for the team.

"I called Luke Shaw last night," he said. "He sounds very strong, which is amazing for me - a good signal. His family is there... He shall come back tomorrow and there will be a long period of rehabilitation.

"It's a big loss for the team, I already said it shall be the season of Luke Shaw, now it's nearly finished. We built up a strong partnership with him and Memphis which is disappointing."

Daley Blind switched to left-back following Shaw's injury against PSV and Marcus Rojo was brought on at centre-back and Van Gaal admitted he is not yet sure who Shaw's long-term replacement is likely to be.

"You have to build up again a combination with the player in front of him. Memphis and Shaw were a very good combination and now you have to build up a new combination," he said.

"You have to start again and that is difficult. It's also difficult for the player who has to replace him. But we have in Blind, Rojo and in Ashley Young, good replacements."

Credit: Skysports.com