MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER David Moyes says injured striker Wayne Rooney is a ‘chance’ to face West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Rooney was absent from United’s 2-0 League Cup quarter-final win at Stoke City on Wednesday.

With Robin van Persie set for a month on the sidelines with a thigh strain that rules him out of the traditional busy run of December games, Moyes is hoping Rooney can pull the strings in midfield.

“He’s got a groin strain,” Moyes said.

When asked if Rooney would play against West Ham, Moyes replied: “I hope so, he’s got a chance.”

The Premier League champions face West Ham, Hull City, Norwich City and Tottenham in the space of a 12-day period that starts with Saturday’s visit of Sam Allardyce’s men to Old Trafford. Rooney is the side’s top scorer in the league this season with eight goals in 14 appearances and has earned regular praise from Moyes for his fine form.

United are eighth in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

‘My biggest fear was being treated as an outcast’ – Paxman interviews Robbie Rogers

Ireland at 67th in FIFA rankings, Spain finish top for sixth year on the trot