Wayne Rooney, Sergio Aguero set to miss UEFA Champions League opening fixtures

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero are two of the high profile stars set to be missing in action for the Manchester clubs when the group stages of the UEFA Champions League 2015/2016 season kicks off on Tuesday night.

Wayne Rooney is suffering from a hamstring issue which occurred in training. He was forced to miss Saturday’s clash against arch rivals Liverpool but his presence was not felt too much with goals from Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and record new signing Anthony Martial lifting the Red Devils to a 3-1 win over the Merseysiders.

Manager Louis van Gaal revealed in a press conference before Saturday’s clash that Rooney was sitting out as a precautionary measure, but it now seems the injury will keep the England captain out of Tuesday night’s clash against PSV Eindhoven as well. The club, however, expect him to be fit in touch for the upcoming clash against Southampton this weekend.

"Young forwards James Wilson and Andreas Pereira, who was signed from PSV, have both been added to the 18-man squad that was on duty against Liverpool at Old Trafford," said a press release on the Manchester United website.

Along with Pereira and Wilson, Louis van Gaal will also have the choice of fielding Anthony Martial up front in what would be the 19-year-old’s full debut, while Marouane Fellaini, who started in the No. 9 role against Liverpool, is also an option.

Manchester City, meanwhile, will be missing the services of star striker Sergio Aguero, who was injured in a tackle by Scott Dann of Crystal Palace last Saturday. The Argentina forward’s injury means Manuel Pellegrini will be left with only one specialist striker in Wilfried Bony for the game against Juventus on Tuesday.

Raheem Sterling and David Silva are both available, however, after missing the game against Crystal Palace with injuries. Record signing Kevin De Bruyne made a substitute appearance against Palace on Saturday, and could well be another option to lead the line against Juventus.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.