Wayne Rooney Heads to America to Train at Nike Campus

Sidelined by an ankle injury and dogged by controversy, Wayne Rooney is headed to America for a little R&R -- removal (from the British tabloids) and rehab.

Rooney will spend a week in Beaverton, Ore. at the Nike World Campus (Nike being Rooney's shoe/boot sponsor) for a week of intense conditioning with Nike's specialists.

The trip will have benefits beyond simply focusing on the physical aspects of Rooney's recovery, however. Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan confirmed that the Red Devils were interested in getting Rooney away from England's intense media scrutiny for a spell.

"We have decided, with Wayne, the medical team and the coaching staff that it would be the best thing for him. He is going on Saturday and will return the following Saturday," said Phelan. "(Manchester United) has the facilities. We just thought it might be in the interests of him and the club to have a change of scenery for a little while."

Rooney was recently hounded by reports of his having an affair with a prostitute. After his infidelities were revealed, Rooney then said he no longer wished to play for Man U and wanted to sign with a new club, which sent the club's massive fan base into a panicked frenzy.

Rooney and Manchester United eventually came to an agreement to keep the star striker with the club, but the whole process has reportedly taken a toll on him, which apparently lead to the week removed from the media glare in America.

If things go as planned with the trip to the states, Phelan and Man U are not ruling out a Nov. 21 return for Rooney against Wigan.