Moyes Delivers Rooney Injury Prognosis Ahead of United's Festive Schedule

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is not expected to miss the club's festive programme despite a groin injury forcing him out of the League Cup quarter-final win over Stoke City.

The England forward has scored 10 goals this season for United but was withdrawn after 83 minutes following the weekend victory at Aston Villa.

With Robin van Persie out until the New Year Moyes is facing a shortage of strikers during among the busiest periods of the season but the United boss is optimistic Rooney will be available, starting against West Ham United.

"He has got a chance, yes," Moyes said.

United face three games in seven days during the remainder of December, with the visit of West Ham followed by trips to Hull City and Norwich City.

Following a summer during which his future at Old Trafford was heavily scrutinised, Rooney has been United's standout performer this term with 14 goals and 13 assists for club and country.

In his absence, United cruised through to the League Cup semi-final after dispatching Stoke at a windswept Britannia Stadium.

Javier Hernandez joined Danny Welbeck in the second half to lead the United attack but it was Ashley Young's first goal since May 2012 which opened the scoring before Patrice Evra continued his scoring streak with a fine second late on.

The Premier League champions face Sunderland in the last four with a potential meeting in the final with rivals Manchester City and Moyes was keen to focus on a particular aspect of the performance.

"It was good for our defenders to get another clean sheet," he said. "Stoke is not an easy place to come to: we had to defend quite a few corners and balls in the box. So defensively we were really sound.

"We did well tonight in difficult conditions. It was an incredible night – the conditions played havoc and were a leveller for the whole game. In the first half it was difficult so it was important the defenders concentrated and didn't make any mistakes.

"It might have been a night where a centre-half slipped over or misjudged the ball in the wind, so we had to make sure that didn't happen."