Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is set to miss Saturday's Premier League showdown with Liverpool, according to widespread media reports.
Both The Guardian and The Sun, along with most British newspapers, say that Rooney -- who has yet to score a Premier League goal this season -- did not train on Friday and was not present when the squad gathered at the team hotel for the usual overnight prematch stay.
Rooney, who played in England's 2-0 win over Switzerland on Tuesday and scored a record-breaking 50th goal for his country, has reportedly picked up a hamstring injury which leaves manager Louis van Gaal short of striking options
.
With Javier Hernandez sold to Bayer Leverkusen, Van Gaal must decide whether to deploy midfielder Marouane Fellaini as the focal point of his attack or give an immediate debut to £36 million deadline-day signing Anthony Martial.
Martial's price tag may be high, but the 19-year-old has just 52 Ligue 1 appearances to his name for Lyon and Monaco and the United boss could opt to play Fellaini in attack rather than pitch the France international straight into one of the most hotly contested matches in football.
United could also call on James Wilson, although the England under-21 international is expected to complete a loan move to Championship side Derby County in the coming days.
David De Gea looks set to return to the squad after signing a new contract with the club. The goalkeeper had been left out of the opening six matches but a proposed move to Real Madrid is now dead in the water,
Midfielder Michael Carrick is available after he overcame a calf injury he suffered in international duty but centre-back Phil Jones (thrombosis) and forward Andreas Pereira (unspecified) are out.