Manchester United vs. FC Midtjylland Live Stream: Watch Online UEFA Europa League Soccer Matches Streaming 1:00 PM ET

Feb 18, 2016 12:48 PM EST
Will Keane
Manchester United striker Will Keane warms up prior to a 2015 Premier League match."

Manchester United thought their season could not get any worse. The team has been struggling in Premier League play along with an early exit from Champions League. They area also out of League play and despite a few victories over Liverpool, fans have not been cheering. Now things have gotten worse as Wayne Rooney is sidelined for the foreseeable future as the team heads into Europa play without their best player.

Rooney was just starting to hit his stride this season with seven goals in his last nine games. However, that is all coming to a halt as the striker is now sidelined for two months with a knee injury. Manager Louis van Gaal reported that Rooney would not be on the 18-man traveling roster due to the injury and while they hope his absence is only four to six weeks, it could take longer leaving Van Gaal to explore other options on the field during the match against FC Midtjylland. There is optimism that Rooney could get back for matches in April, but now he is expected to be out when Man U faces Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham in the coming weeks.

Manchester United is limimted in how they can fill the void of Rooney as the match in Europa play will test out a few options. With Danny Welbeck, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez all out, United must look to youth for help Will Keane is an option as he is the only other stand-out striker on the roster. Memphis Depay could play in the role despite only being on the field sporadically over the past few months. Juan Mata is another option. It will be youth for Van Gaal in this match as at least 12 senior players will not be available.

"When you analyse the injuries, it's ridiculous," Van Gaal said, via ESPNFC.com. "They are all contact injuries, and it is a lot of bad luck. Maybe once or twice you have to back up the team with youngsters, but this year we have had to do it every week. But we have seen that it's also beneficial for Manchester United.''

With FC Midtjylland being view as an easier opponent, Manchester United will use this match to determine some of the pairing that might work on the pitch in Rooney's absence. It will also be a chance for younger players to test themselves in Europa play.

Watch Manchester United vs. FC Midtjylland Live Stream, click here.

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