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Injured Rafael leaves United's pre-season tour

Insert sad face here.

Stephen Dunn

Manchester United right-back Rafael da Silva will play no further part in the Red Devils' pre-season tour of the United States, thanks to a groin injury he picked up in training. A statement on the club's official website read:

Rafael has returned to Manchester to continue treatment on the groin injury sustained in training in Denver. As he was unlikely to participate in the remaining tour games, returning to the Aon Training Complex affords the best overall option for his recovery in time to continue preseason preparation when the team returns.

The good news is that doesn't sound like it's too serious, with the statement suggesting Rafael should be fighting fit for the start of the season. He's been blighted by niggling injuries for quite a while now, though hopefully this won't mean another long lay-off for a player who could excel in Louis van Gaal's 3-4-1-2.

United's next pre-season match is against Inter in Maryland on Tuesday (or midnight Wednesday if you're on BST), before the Red Devils take on Real Madrid in Michigan on Saturday in their final game of the tour.