Rooney out for two to four weeks with sprained ankle.

[arooj.livejournal.com]

• Striker carried off during United's 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich
• Van der Sar confident team can cope if striker is absent

Wayne Rooney will be out for two to four weeks with the sprained ankle he sustained during Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final tie yesterday, Sky Sports News have reported.

There were fears that Rooney may have suffered a fracture of his ligaments, an injury that could have sidelined him for months and possibly put his participation in this summer's World Cup in jeopardy.

However, it appears that the injury may not be too serious, although he will almost certainly miss United's crucial match with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday and the return with Bayern, at the same ground, next Wednesday.

Edwin van der Sar, whose man-of-the-match display ensured United do still have hope of reaching the semi-finals after a poor performance, insists they can cope without Rooney. "Against Bolton we also played with some other players," he said.

"It can happen in the season. You always want your best players available but we know the players coming in can also do a good job."

Rooney can expect to miss the trip to Blackburn on 11th April and may also struggle to be involved in the Manchester derby with City at Eastlands the following weekend and the home meeting with Spurs on 24th April.

www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/31/wayne-rooney-manchester-united-injury1