Wayne Rooney is facing three weeks out of Manchester United's title charge after scoring the winner and then being struck down by a hamstring injury as the champions sealed a narrow 1-0 win against Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford on yesterday.

Rooney, 22, lasted just seven minutes of United's win, which takes them to within two points of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand, before limping out of the action.

United can claim top spot in the Premier League for the first time this season if they defeat Bolton at the Reebok on Saturday, but Rooney will be forced to watch from the sidelines after suffering his injury blow.

Come back soon
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said that he hoped Rooney would not be out for longer.

"Wayne has done his hamstring," said Ferguson.

"It's one of those things, but it's a three-week job I'm afraid. Hopefully it won't be any longer than that, but he gave us a great start with a great finish from Ronaldo's cross.

"We were carrying injuries throughout the game and that says a lot for the character of the team. Carlos Tevez limped throughout the second-half, Jonny Evans, Paul Scholes, Ronaldo. They all seemed to be limping about the place.

"In terms of who will be fit for Saturday, we will just have to assess the injuries and do our best against a Bolton team that are very strong themselves. But Darren Fletcher, Anderson, Park Ji-Sung will be fresh, so they will all play."