Rooney out for at least three weeks

SOCCER: Wayne Rooney will be out for up to three weeks after limping off injured just eight minutes into the game where he scored Manchester United's first minute winner against Wigan in last night's Premier League encounter.

The England striker tapped home Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-minute cross but was shortly replaced by Carlos Tevez. The win consigned Wigan to only their second defeat in eight games and moved United to within two points of league leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.

“Wayne scored a good goal but he will be out for about three weeks now. Hopefully it is no longer,” said Ferguson, who will be relying on Nemanja Vidic to play a key role in this weekend’s game against Bolton. A win would see United overtake leaders Liverpool, who play Everton on Monday night.

Ferguson has something of an injury crisis, particularly in defence, where Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra are unavailable. Jonny Evans could also be missing at the Reebok Stadium after the Northern Ireland star suffered an injury that left him struggling to complete the full 90 minutes.

In attack Tevez is a major doubt after limping out of a challenge by Titus Bramble in last night’s 1-0 win that saw United record their ninth successive clean sheet.

“Nemanja was magnificent,” said Ferguson. “It was the best performance you are likely to see from a natural centre-half.

“His reading of the game is excellent and he is as tough as nails. He was absolutely superb.”

Like Ferguson, Wigan boss Steve Bruce has doubts over his personnel for Saturday’s encounter with Manchester City at Eastlands.

However, Bruce’s fears concern the sale of Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios, who was the subject of a £10million bid from Tottenham that was instantly rejected.

Bruce feels Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will not give in easily and is realistic enough to know it may be impossible for the Latics to hang on to the 20-year-old.

“In two years’ time Wilson will be as good a midfielder as there is,” said Bruce. “We will have to see what develops in the next 24 or 48 hours and what Tottenham are prepared to go to.”

“The thing is when they agree to come to Wigan we sell these lads a dream. I have been there myself. How do you deny someone like that?”