Baby Rooney on the way?

Wayne Rooney was absent from training this morning amid growing speculation that wife Coleen is set to give birth to the couple's first child.

The birth is nine days overdue and Rooney's absence heightened belief that the England star is shortly to become a father for the first time.

If that is the case, Rooney would almost certainly be excused from duty against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford tomorrow, given Manchester United have a 100 per cent record from their opening three matches in Group B and require just one more win to qualify for the knockout phase.

Rooney was not the only big name missing this morning, suggesting the Red Devils will be nowhere near full strength against the Russian champions.

Central defensive duo Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were absent, although that was no surprise given the pair sat out Saturday's victory over Blackburn with ankle problems.

Ryan Giggs has a knock, while Dimitar Berbatov was also missing.

With a crucial Premier League encounter against Chelsea looming at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Ferguson will not want to take any chances with his senior stars.

There was some good news as Park Ji-sung was able to train after a recent absence with fluid on his knee, which manager Sir Alex Ferguson had suggested would keep him out for another two weeks.