Manchester United manager David Moyes said there was no point in risking Wayne Rooney on the team's tour of the Far East, which is why the injured striker was returning home just hours after arriving in Bangkok.
"We won't take any chances, there is no
point in taking him any further around the world," Moyes told Manchester United
TV from the Thai capital, explaining that Rooney suffered the injury before
leaving England."
"The day we left, he just felt his
hamstring tighten up right at the end of training and we thought there would be
no problem," the Scot added.
"But after the long flight, we decided
we'd get him tested and scanned and have a look at things and there is just a
small grade one injury there.
"He didn't train yesterday. We won't
take any chances - there is no point in taking him any further round the world
so we've sent him back [for treatment]."
The 27-year-old faces a month on the
sidelines after suffering the injury and is doubtful for the Community Shield
against FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic at Wembley on August 11 and England's
friendly against Scotland three days later.
United begin their Premier League title
defence at Swansea City on August 17.
Rooney has been the subject of transfer
speculation since retired United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said at the end of
last season the England forward had asked to leave the club.
However, Moyes reiterated on Wednesday
the striker was not for sale and would not be leaving Old Trafford.
United open their tour against a Singha
All-Star XI in Bangkok on Saturday and will also play in Sydney, Yokohama, Osaka
and Hong Kong before facing AIK in Stockholm on August 6.
They have left Manchester without
captain Nemanja Vidic, who is struggling with sciatica. The club said it was not
serious and expected the Serbia centre-back to join them at some point.