Injured Manchester United winger Nani will be out for up to one month following Sunday’s horror lunge by Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
The Portuguese international suffered a huge gash in his shin after the Carragher’s first-half foul in United 3-1 weekend defeat at Anfield.
Nani left the field on a stretcher in tears with Carragher lucky not to be sent off – after referee Phil Dowd only handed him a yellow card.
Following the Carragher’s challenge a melee ensued with players from each side pushing each other as things turned nasty.
Shortly after Nani’s departure, United full-back Raphael Da Silva received a caution for a two-footed lunge on Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva. Da Silva, himself, was subjected to a foul from Maxi which went unpunished.
Nani, who has been one of their players of the season, will now miss the next three matches with the injury – including the crucial FA Cup tie against Arsenal and Champions League second leg against Marseille.
He took to Twitter to acknowledge fans for their support saying: “I would like to thank supporters for their good wishes and I hope to be back really soon.”
But the 24-year-old is reported to be angry that United failed to complain about the challenge by Carragher publicly. The league leaders have imposed a full media blackout as boss Sir Alex Ferguson fights a potential touchline ban following comments he made about referee Martin Atkinson.
Were Man United wrong to impose a full media blackout? Have your say below
Phil Dowd needs to be banned from the Premier League. In the Newcastle V Arsenal match he was terrible and he was terrible in this match as well.