Friday 8 April 2016 17:39, UK
Wayne Rooney will make his comeback from injury when he plays for Manchester United's under-21 side on Monday.
Manager Louis van Gaal made the announcement at his pre-match press conference on Friday, thus ruling the Reds' skipper out of Sunday's Premier League clash against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
The 30-year-old has trained twice with the first team since recovering from a knee injury.
Van Gaal said of Rooney: "No (he won't play at Tottenham). He's playing for the under-21s.
"It's going very well. He has trained with us two times, only two times so it's not too much.
"He has to build up his capacity in the 21s team at home to Middlesbrough."
The England skipper has not played for United since their League game with Sunderland on February 13.
Rooney could now make his comeback at Upton Park on Wednesday when United face West Ham in an FA Cup replay.
Failing that, he may be held back until Saturday, April 16 when bottom of the table Aston Villa travel to Old Trafford.
And van Gaal is delighted that his squad is starting to grow again, as players return from long-term injuries.
Other than Rooney, who is close to returning to first team action, the only other three absentees are Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luke Shaw and Adnan Januzaj.
And LvG said: "It makes my job easier because I can select better but it makes the time for my players a little more difficult.
"There was a time when I could select only the fit players but now with all the youngsters who have proved they are capable, and with all the players coming back, I have more to select from.
"I have a bigger squad so I have said to my players you have to help your colleagues when they are not selected."
