• Premier League

Rooney out for five more weeks

ESPN staff
October 31, 2010
Wayne Rooney will be forced to watch the Manchester derby from the stands © PA Photos
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wayne Rooney could be out for another five weeks as the striker continues to recover from his ankle injury.

Rooney has played just 20 minutes for United since the beginning of October, and after suffering a repeat injury in training ahead of the Champions League clash with Bursaspor, he was initially expected to return in time for the Manchester derby on November 10.

However, having already been sidelined for a fortnight, it is likely to be December before Rooney returns to first team action.

''I think Wayne Rooney will be out for another five weeks,'' Ferguson told the Sunday Express. ''He'll have to pick up his fitness again. I would think five weeks should be about right.''

Rooney signed a new contract a fortnight ago after being assured of the club's ambitions, but Ferguson has ruled out making any new signings in the January transfer window, despite being linked with a host of names.

Rooney was upset over the lack of assurances in United's transfer plans - causing him to reveal publically that he wanted to quit the club, before dramatically changing his mind - and the likes of Edin Dzeko, Karim Benzema, Kaka and Wesley Sneijder (until he signed a new deal with Inter Milan) were being talked about.

However, as the Manchester United boss saw his side beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Premier League to keep five points behind leaders Chelsea, Ferguson claimed there was no need to bring any new players to Old Trafford in over the winter.

''We won't be buying in January, definitely not,'' said Ferguson in the Independent. ''If you want someone to play in Europe, you are limited right away. There are hundreds of players cup-tied.

''You have five months left of the season, I will have Antonio Valencia back hopefully towards the end of February, which is a new player coming back. If Michael Owen gets back, it is another new player coming back. So with the squad I've got, I don't see any reason for us to buy anyone.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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