Moyes' Problems Eased With News of Return for Crucial United Duo

Manchester United manager David Moyes will welcome both Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie back to training this week after the pair missed the defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.

While Rooney hasn't featured since the New Year's Day defeat to Tottenham Hotspur due to a groin problem, Van Persie has been missing for five weeks with separate groin and toe injuries.

Rooney was sent to Egypt for a warm-weather training camp in an attempt to fix the problem and having returned is set resume first team training and Van Persie is also expected to start ball work again after a lengthy spell out.

"Wayne's come back fresh," Moyes admitted following the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea. "He's doing some running and looking good. He's had a break, done some strengthening work on his groin.

"I'm hoping Robin's got a good chance of training at the start of [the] week," Moyes said. "If I could get him back on the grass it would be a great boost for us: he's a really important player and one we've missed.

"Both of them are getting closer to fitness, so let's hope it's not too long until we get him back."

The loss to Chelsea leaves United 14 points off the pace for the Premier League title but the imminent return of Rooney and Van Persie should strengthen attempts to finish in the top four.

United trail fourth place Liverpool by six points while they must also leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in order to qualify for the Champions League once again.

However, midfielder Michael Carrick is refusing to relent despite United's plight in their attempts to regain their title.

"We just keep going," Carrick told MUTV.

"We don't want to write anything off at this stage. It is not a position we are used to or accustomed to.

"We never give up. We will keep fighting. That is what we do. We still believe. We have to try and win as many games as we can and see where it takes us."