After taking on Germany in a friendly next week, England face qualifiers at home to Israel and Russia on September 8 and 12 and the following month meet Estonia at home and Russia away on October 13 and 17.

The incident occurred near the end of the first half of the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford when Rooney fired a low cross from Michael Carrick just over the crossbar.

In attempting to make a tackle, Michael Duberry accidentally trod on Rooney’s foot.

It was clear instantly Rooney had a problem, as he went down and removed his boot.

Although he was able to continue briefly, he did not reappear for the second half, with Ferguson sending the 21-year-old for a scan.

Although the United boss expressed the hope the damage would not be too bad, his worst fears now appear to have been confirmed.

However, having already suffered two broken metatarsals in his career already, the last against Chelsea in 2006 which nearly cost Rooney a place in that summer’s World Cup finals, it always seemed likely the former Everton man would be sidelined for a couple of months at least.

Certainly, he will miss United’s forthcoming Premier League encounters with Portsmouth, Manchester City and Tottenham this month and matches against Sunderland, Everton, Chelsea and Birmingham in September.

With Rooney out and both Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only returning to training after long-term injuries last week, Ferguson seems certain to hand Carlos Tevez his debut at Fratton Park on Wednesday.

“I was considering using Carlos at Portsmouth anyway but obviously, he will come into our thoughts even more now,” Ferguson said after the Reading match.