Rooney facing short spell out

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson expects Wayne Rooney to be out of action for more than a week after the England striker missed this evening’s 1-1 draw at Stoke due to a hamstring problem.

United’s 100% start to the Barclays Premier League season came to an end in Rooney’s absence and the 25-year-old had earlier ’Tweeted’ that he was “gutted” he had been unable to play, but hoped he would be fit to feature in the Champions League clash with Basle at Old Trafford on Tuesday.