Topics: English Premier League, UEFA Europa League, Euro 2016, Manchester United, Wayne Rooney
The English striker apparently came down with the injury against Sunderland last weekend, but he kept on playing despite clear signs of pain.

Louis Van Gaal did not have good news for Manchester United's fans, as the Dutch coach revealed that team captain Wayne Rooney will be out for two months after picking up a knee injury against Sunderland.

The 30-year-old striker did not make the trip to Denmark, where the Red Devils will play the first leg of their UEFA Europa League matchup against Midyjtlland. The team's tactician revealed that Rooney could have prevented further damage to his knee, but he chose to kept on playing despite feeling pain.

"He’s a guy who wants to go until the end and if he’s feeling a pain and he doesn’t want to go off, and certainly when you are in a drawn match he wants to win. That’s a fantastic attitude but sometimes it’s also bad for his body," Van Gaal stated in today's press conference.

The captain's absence will cripple Man United's chances of reaching the top four in the EPL. [WhoScored.com]

If the worst-case scenario is confirmed, Rooney could end up missing eleven games, including crucial ties against Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham. Furthermore, England's coach Roy Hodgson will not have the team's all time top scorer for two friendly matches scheduled for March's International break against Germany and the Netherlands. 

With a number of injuries damagind the team's chances in the domestic tournament, LVG indicated that French youngster Anthony Martial will be leading the Red Devils' attack until Rooney is fit.

"We have Martial, another striker. He has played several matches in this role. He wants to play in this role also. I knew in advance that our captain Wayne Rooney should play a lot of matches because he has showed this every year," the coach added.

Manchester United will have to face the following games without a number of key performers.