LONDON: Wayne Rooney misses Manchester United’s visit to Liverpool today and will also miss England two imminent World Cup qualifiers after needing 10 stitches in a head gashed in a training ground clash with Phil Jones.

England face Moldova at Wembley on Friday before travelling to face Ukraine in Kiev the following Tuesday. England need to win both matches in the hope of qualifying direct for next year’s finals in Brazil.

Rooney’s absence follows a difficult summer when he appeared keen on a move out of Old Trafford to join Chelsea.

United manager David Moyes had refused to countenance the player’s sale to direct title rivals and was delighted with the player’s hard-working performance against Chelsea in last Monday night’s goalless draw at Old Trafford.

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