Wayne Rooney (12/1 in Premiership Top Scorer 2010/2011) could be out of action for more than three weeks, according to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Rooney suffered another ankle injury in training last week in a tackle from Paul Scholes prior to United’s Champions League victory over Bursaspor.

The England striker’s return had been pencilled in, by media and fans at least, for the Manchester derby at Eastlands on November 10, but Ferguson’s comments cast doubt on that now.

When asked if three weeks remained the prognosis, Ferguson, speaking ahead of Saturday’s late Premier League game against Tottenham at Old Trafford, replied: “I think it may be longer. There is no recovery, it is just rest. Before he went away we did his remedial in terms of what we could do at the time. Thereafter, rest – we’re quite happy with that.”

Ferguson’s message to Rooney following his new, record-breaking five-year deal last week, appears to be about him remaining the boss, but his continued praise for the lively Javier Hernandez (25/1) also could be construed as a word of warning to the England striker to pull his socks up.

The United boss said he was happy with the form of ‘Chicharito’ and stated that when Rooney does come back he will have some big decisions to make about team selection.

Hernandez has taken his opportunity well in the last month and banged in four goals in his last three starts, including the winners against Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers (4/7 Man United 11/4 draw 9/2 Tottenham – 90 minutes betting).

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