Manchester United: Wayne Rooney returns from injury in Under-21s victory over Middlesbrough

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney completed his return from injury after playing an hour for the club's Under-21 side against their Middlesbrough counterparts on Monday (11 April).

Rooney, 30, has missed 12 matches after suffering a knee ligament injury in the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on 13 February. As has been the case with virtually every player to return from injury under Louis van Gaal, the striker was given a run-out for Warren Joyce's side, playing for an hour in front of a crowd of over 6,000 at Old Trafford before he was replaced by Axel Tuanzebe.

The England international headed straight down the tunnel following the change and it was only after his departure did United find a breakthrough, with Paddy McNair sweeping home from inside the penalty box after 67 minutes to seal a 1-0 win. The result leaves United in pole position to secure the Under-21 Premier League title, which they can clinch against Tottenham Hotspur next week.

United did however lose midfielder Joe Rothwell in the first half. The 21-year-old was brought down on the edge of the penalty box following an ugly challenge from Middlesbrough's Jonathan Burn and was forced off, replaced by Andreas Pereira.

According to MUTV, Rothwell was being assessed by United's own medical team following his withdrawal and was not taken to hospital. James Weir was another player to come off with a minor knock after taking kick to the knee.

Rooney's evening meanwhile was largely uneventful. Shortly before his departure, the club captain tried his luck with a free kick from 25 yards out, but couldn't keep his effort down.

The striker is unlikely to be considered for Wednesday's FA Cup quarter-final replay against West Ham United, but could possibly feature in Saturday's Premier League meeting with bottom club Aston Villa on Saturday.