Sky Sports have unconfirmed reports that Wayne Rooney will be out for 2-4 weeks, which is a dashing blow to United's season. He has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle.

The Manchester United and England talisman had the nation holding their breath as he crumpled in a heap on the turf at the Allianz Arena in the closing seconds of the 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich. Rooney had to be helped from the field and later left the stadium on crutches.

Replays of the incident showed he had turned his right ankle when he landed awkwardly, causing immediate concern for Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson and England counterpart Fabio Capello.

The fears of the national team appear to be have been alleviated by the initial prognosis, but the Red Devils will be without their attacking ace for a significant spell during the title run-in.

Rooney can expect to miss the trip to Blackburn on 11th April and may also struggle to be involved in the Manchester derby with City at Eastlands the following weekend and the home meeting with Spurs on 24th April.

That would leave the 24-year-old with just the Premier League encounters against Sunderland and Stoke to regain match sharpness in domestic action before attention turns to England's World Cup bid in South Africa.