Fergie fears Rooney may miss rest of season

Sir Alex Ferguson fears Wayne Rooney may be sidelined for the rest of the season after the England striker missed Saturday’s 3-1 win over Tottenham with a groin injury.

Rooney, who has been struggling with knee and ankle injuries for several weeks, suffered the problem in training on Thursday and Ferguson confirmed his leading scorer will probably be out for two to three weeks.

With United having just two more matches against Sunderland and Stoke to play this season, that would mean the 24-year-old misses the finale to the champions’ bid to retain the title.

He should, however, be fit to take his place in England’s World Cup squad.

“It’s difficult to say. Groin injuries are groin injuries. I think it will probably take two or three weeks to be honest with you,” Ferguson said after the Tottenham match.

“We will try (to get him back this season). We will give it every chance and Wayne will be desperate to play but we will just have to wait and see.”

With Rooney watching from the stands at Old Trafford, United left it late to clinch a victory that lifted them two points clear of Chelsea at the top of the table.

It took a brilliant chipped finish from Nani in the 81st minute to put United 2-1 in front before the Portugal winger won a penalty five minutes later that Ryan Giggs converted to seal the win.

Ferguson saluted Nani’s superb strike and said: “I must say Nani’s finish was absolutely brilliant. To have the audacity to try that tells you everything about his courage.”