Rooney out of Blackburn tie

Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of Manchester United’s match against Blackburn on Sunday due to his ankle injury.

Alex Ferguson confirmed the striker’s unavailability this morning, less than 48 hours after England frontman Rooney made a shock return to the team for the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Ferguson has insisted Rooney did not suffer any long-term damage when he aggravated his injury against the German giants, who knocked out United on away goals.

But Ferguson is resigned to being without his star striker for the Ewood Park clash, although Rooney could return for the derby against Manchester City on April 17.

United trail Chelsea by two points with five rounds of the Barclays Premier League season remaining.

Ferguson said: “Five wins will give us a chance. Five wins for Chelsea wins them it. That is the difficulty.”