Manchester United FC skipper Wayne Rooney to miss international friendlies, confirms Louis van Gaal

Rooney had damaged knee ligaments during United`s 2-1 defeat at Sunderland earlier this month.

New Delhi: Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney will miss England`s friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands next month due to his knee injury, said club manager louis van Gaal.

According to a report Daily Star Sunday, LVG confirmed that the star forward will not be ready for the international friendlies.

"No, he won`t be ready for England next month," said United manager Louis van Gaal.

The England captain and record goalscorer Rooney, 30, damaged knee ligaments during United`s 2-1 defeat at Sunderland earlier this month in the Premier League.

England will be playing world champions Germany in a friendly in Berlin on March 26, before hosting Holland three days later as they build up to Euro 2016.

Gaal also said that Rooney has a brace fitted now and is expected to be out for a crucial period of time.

"Wayne has a brace fitted now and he has to wear it for two and a half weeks. After that we then have to look again.”

The Dutchman went on to add that Rooney has to be ready for United and not England as a decisive phase comes in the EPL.

"Now he`s resting and isn`t able to do any work yet. He has to be ready for us -- not the English team."

United face Arsenal at Old Trafford in a Premier League encounter on Sunday.