Manchester United’s preparations for tomorrow night’s Champions League clash against Marseille have been doubt a blow after it emerged midfielder Anderson would be out for two months.
The Brazilian, 22, injured his knee in Saturday’s FA Cup victory against Crawley and was substituted at half-time for Wayne Rooney.
Anderson, who was out for seven months with a knee problem last year, was reportedly seen leaving Man United’s Carrington training ground yesterday on crutches.
His injury is a blow for United ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash against Marseille with the Premiership leaders considerably light on the ground in midfield.
Crocked midfielders Antonio Valencia, Park Ji Sung and Owen Hargreaves are unavailable.
This leaves Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and veterans Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs vying for a role in the middle of the park on Wednesday night as United face seven crucial matches in less than one month.
The club has at least been boosted by the announcement that Giggs and full-back Patrice Evra have signed new deals at the club.