MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is expected to miss the next four weeks after suffering a a nasty cut on his leg in the closing minutes of United's 3-2 win over Fulham on Saturday.

Rooney had to be taken from the field on a stretcher after a clash with Hugo Rodallega left the England international with a huge gash on his right leg.

"It was a very bad one. He has gone to the hospital. It looks like he will be out for four weeks," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said after the match.

If that timetable is accurate it means that Rooney will miss both of England's World Cup qualifying matches in September with Moldova and Ukraine in addition to the start of the club's Champions League campaign.

United faces Southampton next weekend before a home game against Wigan following the international break, while Rooney will be facing a real fitness race to be ready for the Sept. 23 date with Liverpool.