London: A knee injury to Brazilian mid-fielder Anderson has delivered a huge blow to Manchester United’s chances of gunning for three titles in the 2010-11 season.
Anderson faces up to two months out after taking a knock to the knee in Saturday's clash with Crawley. According to The Sun, scans have revealed cartilage damage.
United, however, are still hopeful he could avoid surgery, but have resigned themselves to being without the 22-year-old until mid-April.
United are already short in midfield with Antonio Valencia, Owen Hargreaves and Ji-Sung Park on the injury list.
But there was some good news for the club. Patrice Evra has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Old Trafford that will give him 90,000 pounds-a-week until 2014.