Wayne Rooney will be out for around two weeks with a head injury sustained prior to Manchester United's Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday, manager David Moyes revealed.
Moyes has yet to make a marquee signing and this may put him under pressure with one day to go to the close of the transfer window.
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Moyes said the 27-year-old striker was injured during a training session and would probably miss England's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.
"He got a cut down the middle of his forehead," Moyes told Sky Sports ahead of the game at Anfield.
"It was completely accidental but it's quite a bad cut and it'll probably keep him out for a couple of weeks."
Asked if Rooney would be able to play for England against Moldova on Friday and away to Ukraine on September 10, Moyes replied: "I would think he's got no chance."
Rooney did not travel to Anfield on the United team bus, following British newspaper reports that he required stitches after the accidental collision with a team-mate during training on Saturday.
Ryan Giggs took his place in the starting XI against Liverpool.
United defender Rio Ferdinand told Sky Sports: "It's disappointing but whatever's happened has happened. We can't go back.
"We've got quality players in the dressing room who can fill that void, so we'll just wait and see."