Wayne Rooney and Rafael back for Manchester derby

WAYNE ROONEY and Rafael will be fit in time for Monday's Manchester derby.

COMEBACK TRAIL ... Rafael and Wayne Rooney


Manchester United star Rooney returned from international duty with a groin injury.

And Rafael suffered a similar problem during Saturday’s win at Sunderland.

United boss Alex Ferguson said: "Wayne and Rafael started training this morning, which is good news. They should be fine by Monday."

Ferguson is also hopeful skipper Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans will have recovered from back and hamstring injuries respectively.

He added: "They are not there yet, but we have time on our hands to get them right."

One player who definitely will be involved is Robin van Persie, who has gone nine games without a goal for United.

His strike against Sunderland was given as a Titus Bramble own goal — not that his manager is worried by the lean spell.

Ferguson said: "Robin doesn’t need a rest that’s for sure. He is a strong lad with a great physique.

“It’s disappointing that he wasn’t awarded the goal at Sunderland, I can understand that because it took a wicked deflection, because the shot was fantastic.

“All strikers have little dry spells - you always hope it ends quickly. It is just part of being a striker.”