Rooney out for up to three weeks, says Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that striker Wayne Rooney is expected to return to first team action within three weeks.

Rooney went down in a heap late on in United’s 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat to Bayern Munich in Germany on Tuesday, sparking fears that his season could be over.

The England international underwent scans on Thursday and Ferguson insists the nation can breathe a sigh of relief that he will be fit for the World Cup in South Africa.

"There's no bone damage and there's no serious ligament damage. The nation can stop praying," said Ferguson.

"It was panic. We are relieved. When we saw him hobble off, you are hoping when you send him for a scan, you get some good news. And it could have been worse given the way he hobbled off.

"But it's out of the way, we can put it to one side and get on with our job on the pitch."

When asked how long Rooney is likely to be out of action, the vastly-experienced Scottish tactician told Sky Sports News: "Two to three weeks, we think.

"Obviously in the two to three weeks he'll miss important games, but the important thing for us is that he'll be back before the end of the season."

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