Rooney devastated by injury

Wayne Rooney has admitted he is "devastated" to be facing a race against time.

Wayne Rooney has admitted he is "devastated" to be facing a race against time to be fit to take part in this summer's World Cup finals.

The England star broke a metatarsal in his foot during Manchester United's 3-0 defeat at the weekend, sending the country into a state of mourning.

There is still some hope that the 20-year-old can recover in time for the finals, despite United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's pessimistic, if realistic, assessment of the situation, and Rooney told MUTV in an exclusive interview that he wants to be left alone to undergo his rehabilitation.

"I'll be coming in [for treatment] every day and trying to give myself the best possible chance," said Rooney.

"I'm obviously devastated to have broken my foot at this moment in time, it really is horrible.

"But I'm in great hands at United and I know with the physio team I've got behind me here that they'll be able to give me the best possible chance.

"You've just got to get on with it and be positive. That's what I'm trying to do at the moment and I'll be trying to get myself fit as soon as possible.

"I'd like to thank everyone who's sent me messages and supported me. But it's now important that I have some privacy and the press leave me alone as I try to get myself fit."

Rooney also played down suggestions that his new boots led to him picking up the injury.

The young striker wore his Nike `Total 90 Supremacy' boots for the first time at Stamford Bridge and it has been claimed that the new boots may have played a part in his injury.

Rooney has rejected the suggestions and insists he has no problems with his new footwear.

"Before we actually wear the boots they get tested out to make sure they're suitable for playing in," added Rooney.

"The boots have been checked out and the boots are fine. "There's a lot of pressure on my foot and if you watch the video you can see that's how it happened."

The former Everton forward will be out for at least six weeks, ensuring he misses England's tournament opener against Paraguay, but Sven Goran Eriksson hopes he can count upon the influential youngster at some stage of the finals.

Chelsea defender Paulo Ferreira, who made the challenge on Rooney, has stressed he did nothing wrong.

"It was an innocent tackle," he stated. "Obviously, I did not mean to hurt him."