By BRYAN ROBISON
While Manchester United was able to enter the win column with a 3-2 win over Fulham after losing their season debut to Everton last weekend, it was not all good news for the Red Devils, as star Wayne Rooney went down with a leg injury. After attempting to deflect Fulham's Hugo Rodallega's shot, Rooney had his thigh cut open by Rodallega's cleat after he stepped on Rooney's leg.
After the blood started to show on his leg, stretchers immediately arrived to take Rooney off the field. Danny Wellbeck made it obvious just how serious of a cut it was, turning around in horror after witnessing the gash in Rooney's leg.
Sir Alex Ferguson announced after the match that Rooney would be out for a month, but reports are now stating that it is more likely he misses closer to two months following surgery to close the wound. In addition to missing time on the pitch for United in both Premier League and Champions League play, Rooney will also be absent from the lineup for England in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.
Lucio sidelined for Juventus following ankle injury
Manchester United was not the only team to suffer a debilitating injury over the weekend, as Juventus lost defender Lucio, after the Brazilian tore ligaments in his ankle on Friday. This comes just weeks after the former Inter Milan defender joined the squad.
With the injury, Lucio was expected to miss the next three to four months. However, reports out of Italy are now stating that he will be on the sidlelines for a much shorter time, possibly returning in six weeks.
Liverpool signs Nuri Sahin on season-long loan
On Saturday afternoon, Liverpool teased of a roster move to be posted on their website. While many rumors began to circulate, it was the official announcement of the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin on a season-long loan that emerged as the actual move. Sahin joins the Reds after playing in eleven matches last season for Real Madrid.
Arsenal was expected to acquire the Turkish international, but with Liverpool offering to pay a larger portion of his contract, Sahin ended up signing there. Sahin signed a six-year deal with Real Madrid last year after departing his home club in Borussia Dortmund.
Dane Richards signs with Burnley FC for 2013 season
After being shipped to Vancouver in a mid-season trade from New York to the Whitecaps in July, Dane Richards will be heading overseas next season, as he will be heading to England to join Burnley FC for the 2013 Championship League season.
The departure will come at the end of the MLS season, the sixth of Richards' career. With his contract expiring, Vancouver knew it was likely that the Jamaican international would be headed elsewhere at the end of the year. Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie had this to say regarding the move:
"When we traded for Dane, we received allocation money, which is a valuable asset in our league," said Rennie. "Dane will continue to be an important part of our squad as we push for a playoff spot, and we look forward to his contributions throughout the rest of the season before he starts with his new club Burnley FC."
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Horrified by Rooney's injury like everyone else? What sort of impact will Sahin have for Liverpool? With Juventus' expected success, how do you see Lucio's injury affecting their chances of a repeat as champions?
Share your thoughts below.