London--Louis van Gaal is hoping Wayne Rooney's quick recovery from a knee injury will provide the spark to revive spluttering Manchester United's bid to seal their place in the Champions League.
Van Gaal's side crashed to a second successive defeat last weekend when they were routed 3-0 by Everton and it seemed that loss at Goodison Park might have further repercussions when United captain Rooney limped off in the closing stages.
But van Gaal confirmed on Friday that the England forward would be fit to face West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday as fourth-placed United look to secure a win that could guarantee their berth in Europe's elite club competition next season, depending on the results of fifth-placed Liverpool and sixth-placed Tottenham.
"Rooney is fit to play, the injury was not so heavy as we expected," said van Gaal, whose team are seven points clear of the chasing pack with four games remaining.
United's Michael Carrick, Marcos Rojo, Rafael and Jonny Evans are all out, but injury-plagued Dutch striker Robin van Persie could start for the first time in more than two months.
On Sunday, the stage is set for a Premier League coronation as champions-elect Chelsea host Crystal Palace needing three points to claim a first league title since 2010.
Chelsea's 3-1 win at Leicester City on Wednesday left them 13 points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, who have a game in hand, and brought the league trophy to within touching distance.
The title seems destined for Stamford Bridge regardless of what happens this weekend, but Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is eager to cross the line in front of the club's fans.
"It's amazing when you win a title, but if you win it at home it puts the icing on the cake," said the 32-year-old Czech, who deputised for Thibaut Courtois at Leicester.
AFP
