Rooney to return in a month

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Wayne Rooney will return to action in four weeks.

The former Everton star received a deep gash to his thigh after coming on as a substitute in United’s 3-2 win against Fulham at Old Trafford.

Early signs suggested it could keep Rooney out for some time, but Ferguson has now confirmed the 26-year-old will return to action soon.

“Wayne’s out for four weeks,” said Ferguson.

“It’s nothing serious on the actual gash – it’s a bad one but it was treated carefully very quickly. We don’t expect any complications from it. I think he’ll be back in four weeks.

“The fact it’s a gash and not a muscle or joint injury means he can do a lot of work in the gymnasium. We’re not too bad with that.”

As well as missing England’s qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, Rooney will be out for crunch games against Tottenham and Liverpool next month, while also looking doutbful for the Red Devils’ Champions League opener against Galatasaray.