Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Rooney update due on Friday

01 Apr 2010 - 12:04:09

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Manchester United will not reveal the extent of Wayne Rooney's ankle injury until Sir Alex Ferguson gives his weekly news conference on Friday morning.

Rooney has been at the centre of a media storm since he left the Allianz Arena pitch in obvious pain following Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Bayern Munich in Germany.

The 34-goal striker was whisked to a private clinic in Manchester on his return to England but United are remaining tight-lipped on his condition.

Unconfirmed reports have suggested the England striker has suffered torn ligaments and could be out for anywhere between two to four weeks.

Initial fears that the 24-year-old frontman could miss the World Cup in South Africa with a serious injury have since subsided.

However, Rooney could still miss Saturday's Premier League title showdown with Chelsea and the second leg of United's European quarter-final against Bayern next Wednesday.

Ferguson will clarify the situation at Friday morning's press conference ahead of Chelsea's visit to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has backed youngster Federico Macheda to step into Rooney's boots.

Ferguson has tipped Macheda to plug the gap, despite suffering injury misery for much of the season.

The Italian sensation shot onto the scene last year, scoring an injury-time winner against Aston Villa on his debut.

Then just six days later he grabbed another winner at Sunderland as the Red Devils went on to win the Premier League title.

"Young Macheda's had a terrible season with injuries," said Ferguson.

"But he made a return against Bolton last Saturday and we were absolutely delighted. He's one of the most exceptional young strikers I've seen in my time at United.

"He has every chance of taking part in big matches. His ability around the box for a young player is outstanding."