Graphic: Third time unlucky for Rooney

Sven-Goran Eriksson believes that Steve McClaren, his successor as England manager, will find it impossible to replace Wayne Rooney for the crucial upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

The Manchester United striker is out for two months after fracturing a bone in his foot against Reading on Sunday and will miss most if not all of England’s remaining games as they look to turn round what has been a dismal qualifying campaign.

Eriksson, now manager of Manchester City, said although McClaren had other good options there was no one to compare with the 21-year-old.

“I don’t know how many games he will miss for England but I suppose Steve McClaren is not happy about that," Eriksson said. It’s very, very bad luck - as before the World Cup. Of course England have other quality players but it’s a simple fact that in this country you don’t have two Rooneys, you have only one.

“There are other good players but Rooney is Rooney and that’s it.”

Eriksson at least will not to have to plan how to combat Rooney in this weekend’s Manchester derby. But he added: “I feel very sorry for Rooney, he has had a similar injury to before the World Cup last year. It’s unlucky and of course it’s bad for Manchester United and it’s bad for England.”

Ferguson, meanwhile, has shrugged off Rooney’s injury, saying “these things happen in football”.

He added: “The way the game is, the competition levels and the speed, you are going to get injuries throughout a season. For my last five and six years we have had several players injured at all times so that is why you need squads of 23 or 24.

“The important thing is not to panic in these situations. I always believe if we have 11 players fit to go on the park then we believe we can win the game. That never changes from me.”

Rooney is certain to miss England’s next three matches – the friendly against Germany at Wembley a week tomorrow and the qualifying matches at home to Israel and Russia next month – as well as at least eight domestic and European games for United after suffering a hairline fracture of his left foot on Sunday. But further scans yesterday indicated that the injury may not be as serious as was feared, raising the prospect of a return to action for England in October.