Rooney had a scan on Wednesday afternoon, immediately after returning to the UK after picking up the injury in the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

There is no break, which means Rooney's presence at this summer's World Cup should not be threatened.

Confirmation of ligament damage does, however, indicate the United striker will be out of action for an extended period, starting with Saturday's Premier League match with Chelsea, although the Old Trafford outfit have not said how long Rooney is expected to take to recover.

"We are pleased to report that Wayne has not suffered a fracture," a United spokesperson told the club's official website.

"The scan revealed only minor ligament damage."

Sir Alex Ferguson will presumably offer a more extensive medical bulletin on Friday ahead of the Chelsea encounter, although a recovery period of between two and four weeks has been mooted.

If the former proves correct, Rooney could be back in action for the Champions League semi-final, providing United overhaul Bayern's 2-1 first-leg advantage.

A four-week spell on the sidelines would have him back in action in time to face Sunderland on 1st May.


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