MANCHESTER, August 5, 2008 (AFP) - Wayne Rooney will miss the start of the Premier League season after contracting a virus during the club's pre-season trip to Nigeria, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Tuesday.

The striker has felt too weak to train since United returned from Africa last week and Ferguson expects to be without the England star when the European champions kick-off against Newcastle on August 17.

With Cristiano Ronaldo already sidelined for several weeks after ankle surgery, Rooney's absence is a major blow for Ferguson heading into the new campaign.