Rooney on his way to SA?

2008-07-13 18:15

Johannesburg - English soccer superstar Wayne Rooney could be the major drawcard of Manchester United's pre-season tour to South Africa this weekend.

According to a report in Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag, Rooney is part of the squad - which has not yet been announced - that will fly in this coming weekend for matches against local sides Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

But Manchester United will be without their other big names such as Louis Saha, Mikael Silvestre, Nani, Edwin van der Sar and Cristiano Ronaldo who were involved in the recent Euro 2008 tournament and who have been given time to rest.

Karyl Shopbolt, media liaison for Manchester United, told Sondag that Rooney was definitely making the trip to South Africa.

"Cristiano Ronaldo would never have come with because he was involved in the Euro 2008 tournament and has recently undergone an operation. We haven't announced the final squad yet that will come to South Africa and will do so in the next week," Shopbolt said.

Shopbolt also confirmed that players such as Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea, Carlos Teves, Owen Hargreaves and Darren Fletcher were likely to make the trip.

Manchester United would face Kaizer Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday, Orlando Pirates in Durban next Tuesday and then the winner of next Thursday's Chiefs/Pirates Derby on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.

- SAPA