United injuries concern Ferguson and Capello

Alex Ferguson will wait for news on his injured stars today – with Fabio Capello also likely to take a keen interest in the Manchester United medical bulletin.

An update on Paul Scholes and Rafael Da Silva may only be of passing interest to the England coach. On Wayne Rooney, Capello will have his fingers and toes crossed.

Alex Ferguson reported Rooney feeling pain in his ankle, an hour into his goalscoring performance in last night’s Champions League win at Aalborg.

The striker quickly left the field, and Ferguson has already virtually written him out of Saturday’s encounter with Blackburn at Ewood Park.

“Wayne felt his ankle,” confirmed Ferguson.

“We hope it is not ligament trouble – but he is doubtful for Saturday, I would imagine.”

Capello is due to name his squad for the World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Belarus on Sunday and will hope to have Rooney in it.

If ligament damage is confirmed, Capello can forget it.

Ferguson is already resigned to the prospect of losing Scholes for up to two months, after the veteran midfielder suffered ligament damage in his knee.

“We do not know exactly how serious at this moment in time,” said the United boss.

“It looks like medial ligament damage, which would be six to eight weeks – a bit of a blow.”

At least Ferguson would have Cristiano Ronaldo at full throttle again, after the Portugal winger completed the match.

The winger did not mark the occasion with a goal, although he claimed a fine ’assist’ for Dimitar Berbatov’s second.

However, it seems he has now settled down after the turmoil of the summer and speculation over a move to Real Madrid.

“I feel very comfortable now,” said the 23-year-old.

“I played my first game two weeks ago, and all the fans appreciated me.

“I feel very good within the club and very happy. I want to carry on like that.” Berbatov must also be feeling good.

At a cost of £30.75m, the Bulgarian did not come cheap – and three games without a goal had the more critical United fans grumbling about the wisdom of his arrival from Tottenham.

But the 27-year-old ended such talk in fine style with his two second-half goals, which Ferguson is confident will lead to better things.

“It will be a great confidence booster for him,” said Ferguson.

“As a striker, you always want to get an early goal after being transferred for such a large amount of money.

“He missed a chance quite early, which he was probably a bit frustrated with. But he took his goals well, particularly the second one.

“It was a real striker’s finish, and he will be happy with that.”