Sir Alex Ferguson thinks it is "impossible" for Sven Goran Eriksson to expect Wayne Rooney to be fit to play any part for England in the World Cup Finals.

Rooney fractured his fourth metatarsal bone in his foot during United's 3-0 Premiership defeat at Chelsea on Saturday and has been ruled out of action for at least six weeks, making him a major doubt to play for England in the group stages at the World Cup.

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has already stated that he will take Rooney to Germany, if there is a chance that the striker will be fit for the knockout stages.

But United boss Ferguson has made a plea to Eriksson to consider not picking Rooney, claiming it is too much to expect the 20-year-old to be fit in time to feature at full-fitness for England.

“Put it this way, this is where realism has to come into it, we have to calm people down and the expectations of supporters,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“To say he's going to Germany, whether he's fit or not, is not right, it's not the kind of thing you want to hear.

“If he can't train until six weeks from now and there's only two weeks until the quarter-finals, do you expect any player, of any standard, to play in the quarter final of the World Cup?

"It's impossible! He would be playing against all players who are honed to perfection in terms of fitness and preparation and have been playing for the last two months.

“To ask a young lad to do that is not right. You can't talk that way.

“We will make sure we give him the best opportunity to get to the World Cup. We want him to play more than anyone as it will be great credit for the club if he performs properly, which he could do.”

The United boss said that he is yet to discuss the situation with Sven Goran Eriksson, but confirmed the club will keep The Football Association updated on Rooney's progress.

Ferguson added: “I've left a message, but I've not spoken to him.

“The club will be direct with The FA to make sure they are kept well aware every week as to his progress.

“We are doing a scan on Wednesday and will get that checked every week.

“What I want to do is calm people down. To think it is certain he will play in the World Cup, it is far from that.”

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