An apparently real ankle injury may keep him out of the weekend's trip to Stoke, but if he does play, what odds an instant return to form? Blue Square have him at 33/1 to score an unlikely hat-trick at the Britannia Stadium.
A far better bet is a shock result in the Potteries, with the effects of Rooney's dalliances over signing a new contract on his team-mates' morale and the camaraderie in the dressing room yet to be seen.
And let's not forget that United, with Rooney a shadow of his former self, are yet to really hit top form this season - they've drawn their last three outings and are yet to win away from home all season.
So an upset at Stoke could well be in the offing this weekend. The Britannia Stadium is never an easy place to go, let alone for a team searching their first away win of the campaign. Tony Pulis' side will know what they have to do against a United team that won in midweek, albeit against an extremely poor Turkish outfit - and in rather unconvincing fashion.
Victor Chandler have a Stoke win at a reasonable 5/1.
United have conceded 11 times already this season and the 12th could be just around the corner if Stoke mix it up at what could be a blustery Britannia Stadium.
Kenwyne Jones looks the most likely to get it, the former Sunderland striker having scored twice in his last three league matches against United. He has also found the back of the net twice in his last three games at the Britannia. Bet365 have him at 8/1 to open the scoring in Sunday's early kick-off.
Source: DSG
