Manchester United: Jose Mourinho Suffers Injury Setback Before EFL Cup Final

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford, Manchester, February 1. Rooney looks set to miss the EFL Cup final with injury. Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is struggling to make the EFL Cup final due to injury, according to a report.

The Times claims Rooney will miss what could be his last appearance in a final for United due to a muscle injury that has sidelined him for the past three games. The 31-year-old is expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer after more than a decade at the club.

"Rooney is injured and Phil Jones is injured. I don't think they will recover [for the game against Saint-Etienne on Wednesday]," Mourinho told reporters Tuesday.

"Rooney and Jones haven't trained with the team yet so I don't think they will be there," he added.

Pressed on whether Rooney could miss the final against Southampton, Mourinho replied: "I don't know," though the newspaper believes it likely.

Rooney, England's record goalscorer, has been heavily linked with a transfer to the Chinese Super League.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Sportswriter at Newsweek.

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go