ANOTHER DEPARTURE ANNOUNCED

It's been announced that United's doctor Mike Stone has left the club following a major falling-out with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Just 24 hours before Wayne Rooney is due to have the scan which will either make or break his hopes of appearing in this summer's World Cup, it has emerged that Stone, the man who was treating the English striker, has had his employment with United terminated with immediate effect.

Club officials are insistent Stone's departure has nothing to do with Rooney's recovery from the broken metatarsal he suffered at Chelsea last month.

However, with details over the reasons behind the dispute with Ferguson still sketchy, speculation of the problem stemming from Rooney's injury is bound to be rife.

"We can confirm Dr Stone has left the club," read a club statement. "There was a difference of opinion on a non-footballing and non-clinical issue, as a result of which Dr Stone felt it to be in his and the club's best interests for him to leave."

"The difference was over a non-clinical issue and had nothing whatsoever to do with any medical treatment to a Manchester United player." Stone's departure means Rooney's care will now be handled by his assistant Tony Gill, who is now expected to be officially installed as United's club doctor.