London, Dec 27 : Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed striker Wayne Rooney will be sidelined between two and three weeks after sustaining a knee ligament damage while training before their thrilling 4-3 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Ferguson said he would have liked to play Rooney against Newcastle following his below par performance against Swansea City on Sunday, but could not select him due to injury. The Old Trafford boss said he doesn't expect Rooney to have two poor games on trot, but they didn't want to risk the England international.

Fergie said Rooney got injured during the end of training, as he hurt his ligament at the back of his knee and could be out for two to three weeks. Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez stepped up to the mark in Rooney''s absence, both scoring as United managed to grab three points from a topsy-turvy game, the Daily Mail reports.

Striker Danny Welbeck and defender Phil Jones also missed the game. Rooney is set to miss Premier League matches against West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic, in addition to the FA Cup third round tie at West Ham United on January 5. The former Everton striker also faces a race against time to face Liverpool at Old Trafford on January 13. (ANI)