Ferguson estimates it will be another three weeks at least before Rooney is fit to return, a timescale that would rule him out of next Wednesday's Manchester derby at Eastlands, plus England's friendly with France on November 17. And the Manchester United boss feels his star striker may come back a new man, with the pressure of contract talks now over.
"I think that this has been preying on his mind," Ferguson told Inside United. "I don't know the reason for his loss of form because it started in the World Cup. Whether some clubs have been filling his head in that period to affect him we don't know. I have not asked him that. The important thing is for us to put it behind us and move on."
Given the performances of Dimitar Berbatov and Mexican new-boy Javier Hernandez, there is even an argument Rooney may have to be patient and wait for his opportunity to shine.
The 25-year-old has not scored a goal for United in open play since March, his only strike this term coming from the penalty spot against West Ham in August.
It is a quite remarkable change in fortunes for a player who was lighting up the world stage 12 months ago, already well on his way to an impressive 34-goal haul before he suffered an ankle injury against Bayern Munich, after which he has not been the same player.
Yet the United supporters stuck loyally by their man, which is why his comments about the club's prospects for the future amid that contract furore were so startling.
The reaction was quick, with supporters besieging phone-ins and message boards expressing their distaste for the player's stance. And Ferguson believes it played a major role in Rooney's swift U-turn.
"Wayne obviously had some advice from people, but he has also realised the magnitude of Manchester United," he said. "I think that (the reaction) was definitely a part of it.
"He won't have enjoyed that. You know, nobody enjoys that sort of attention. Especially after the supporters have idolised him from the minute he's come here and done nothing but support him through thick and thin."
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Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) Information
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Date of birth
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Thursday, 24th October 1985
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Height
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5ft 10in
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Place of birth
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Croxteth, England
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Weight
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12st 3lb
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International
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England
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Position
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Striker
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Comments
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Squad No.
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10
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Recent Career History By Club (1999 onwards)
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Team
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Debut | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 28 Sep 2004 | 257 (30) | 129 | 58 | 1 | ||
| 17 Aug 2002 | 48 (29) | 17 | 19 | 1 | ||
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Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards)
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Season
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First App. | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 08 Aug 2010 | 6 (1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 09 Aug 2009 | 42 (2) | 34 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 17 Aug 2008 | 38 (9) | 17 | 10 | 1 | ||
| 05 Aug 2007 | 39 (4) | 18 | 12 | 0 | ||
| 20 Aug 2006 | 51 (4) | 23 | 9 | 0 | ||
| 09 Aug 2005 | 44 (4) | 19 | 11 | 0 | ||
| 28 Sep 2004 | 37 (6) | 17 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 16 Aug 2003 | 31 (9) | 9 | 11 | 0 | ||
| 17 Aug 2002 | 17 (20) | 8 | 8 | 1 | ||
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Appearances 305 (+ 59 as sub); Goals 146; Yellow cards 77; Red cards 2
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Source: PA