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Sir Alex Ferguson plays down Wayne Rooney ankle injury
Rooney set up Darron Gibson's opener for United but was forced off with his ankle injury in the second half
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney did not seriously aggravate his ankle injury against Bayern Munich, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stated.
Rooney was a surprise starter in the Champions League quarter-final second leg having initially been ruled out with the injury he suffered in Germany.
The 24-year-old went off injured in the second half as United won the leg 3-2, but exited on away goals.
But Ferguson said: "I don't think it's serious. He'll be available next week."
United were leading 4-3 on aggregate when Rooney went off having taken a blow to the same ankle that was diagnosed as having suffered ligament damage in last week's 2-1 first leg defeat.
With United already down to 10 men following Rafael's sending off for a second bookable offence, Rooney was replaced by defender John O'Shea and had to watch from the bench as Arjen Robben struck a late volleyed winner to seal Bayern's progress.
606: DEBATE
Should Rooney have been picked?
Jean-Pierre_Blanc
However, the news that the injury is not serious will be welcomed by England manager Fabio Capello with the World Cup kicking off in South Africa in two months.
"He won't be out for too long and it was never a serious injury," Ferguson added.
"He's burst a blood vessel just below the ankle joint. He is unlucky to go over on it again.
"He had a couple of challenges on it and he didn't get any protection from that, but we expected it anyway."
Ferguson revealed that he had decided to include Rooney on Tuesday morning after putting his England striker through a demanding fitness test.
"He had a training session after the main session and he was very impressive," said the Scot.
"He did everything I asked of him. It was quite an intensive examination and the medical people thought there was no danger.
"They said he may feel it in the second half but the fact that he went over on the ankle was just a bit unlucky."
United now turn their attention to the Premier League run-in and Ferguson says the equation is simple: "We have to win our next five games. It's straightforward. There's no other issue for us. We have to go for it."
Rooney will miss the first of their remaining matches, away at Blackburn on Sunday, as they head into the final five matches of the season trailing Premier League leaders Chelsea by two points.
Rooney set up Darron Gibson's opener for United but was forced off with his ankle injury in the second half
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney did not seriously aggravate his ankle injury against Bayern Munich, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stated.
Rooney was a surprise starter in the Champions League quarter-final second leg having initially been ruled out with the injury he suffered in Germany.
The 24-year-old went off injured in the second half as United won the leg 3-2, but exited on away goals.
But Ferguson said: "I don't think it's serious. He'll be available next week."
United were leading 4-3 on aggregate when Rooney went off having taken a blow to the same ankle that was diagnosed as having suffered ligament damage in last week's 2-1 first leg defeat.
With United already down to 10 men following Rafael's sending off for a second bookable offence, Rooney was replaced by defender John O'Shea and had to watch from the bench as Arjen Robben struck a late volleyed winner to seal Bayern's progress.
606: DEBATE
Should Rooney have been picked?
Jean-Pierre_Blanc
However, the news that the injury is not serious will be welcomed by England manager Fabio Capello with the World Cup kicking off in South Africa in two months.
"He won't be out for too long and it was never a serious injury," Ferguson added.
"He's burst a blood vessel just below the ankle joint. He is unlucky to go over on it again.
"He had a couple of challenges on it and he didn't get any protection from that, but we expected it anyway."
Ferguson revealed that he had decided to include Rooney on Tuesday morning after putting his England striker through a demanding fitness test.
"He had a training session after the main session and he was very impressive," said the Scot.
"He did everything I asked of him. It was quite an intensive examination and the medical people thought there was no danger.
"They said he may feel it in the second half but the fact that he went over on the ankle was just a bit unlucky."
United now turn their attention to the Premier League run-in and Ferguson says the equation is simple: "We have to win our next five games. It's straightforward. There's no other issue for us. We have to go for it."
Rooney will miss the first of their remaining matches, away at Blackburn on Sunday, as they head into the final five matches of the season trailing Premier League leaders Chelsea by two points.
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