Rooney's long-term rehab thrown into doubt

The news that a Premier League player has decided to fly out to America in order to continue recovery from an injury is nothing shocking.

Owen Hargreaves has spent considerable lengths of time seeing American specialists to cure his persistent knee problem after all. So, the news that Wayne Rooney has been sent to the USA to aid his recovery from an ankle injury shouldn't, in itself, be enough to cause United fans any real concern.

However, look a little deeper and this is actually an extremely worrying sign for both United fans and England fans. The 25-year-old is set to be seen by specialists at the Nike Town centre in Oregon as he seeks to ensure that the three-week time period estimated for his return isn't extended by any setbacks. The fact remains, though, that Rooney could have undergone similar rehabilitation work and intensive training at United's Carrington training ground, which clearly has the facilities to help him prepare for first team action again. Anyone who has placed a football bet on Rooney being top Premier League scorer will hope he gets back to full fitness soon.

Mike Phelan, United's assistant manager, revealed that the main reason behind the player's trip to America is to give Rooney a "change of scenery", stating that the absence of the striker from the media glare, which has been intense since his controversial decision to sign a new long-term deal just 48 hours after expressing a desire to leave the Old Trafford outfit, will be of benefit to both club and player.

Rooney's stint in the USA casts fresh doubt over the ease with which the player will be able to bed back in to the first team. With United fans, and England fans, unlikely to forgive the player overnight upon his return, he'll have to get used to taking criticism on the chin and proving that his focus remains on the pitch.
Although sending him away to America will take the pressure off him for now, it will surely only intensify upon his return to the starting line-up and Sir Alex Ferguson surely won't put up with Old Trafford becoming a circus revolving around Wayne Rooney in the long term.

What Rooney and United need to get back on track now is an element of normality, the very thing that life at one of the most famous clubs in global football quite clearly makes impossible.

Meanwhile, plenty of people will be placing a football daily bet on this week's Manchester derby which occurs on Wednesday.

United will be keen to put City in their place as they look to climb the league.