Manchester United defender Phil Jones is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines after a club spokesman confirmed the youngster had undergone knee surgery.
Jones is yet to make an appearance this season, after suffering from back spasms, and the 20-year-old has been deal a further blow, after picking up a knee injury in training.
"Phil Jones has had surgery on a knee meniscus tear sustained in training that will require six to eight weeks of rehabilitation," a club spokesperson told the club's official website.
Meanwhile, after the success being enjoyed by the likes of Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez, Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed United have increased their scouting network in South America and Mexico.
"Our scouting there has increased," Ferguson told Inside United. "We've got an operative in Mexico, two in Brazil and four South American scouts now.
"Quite frankly, they do produce. The South Americans love playing football, it's just in their blood. The three Brazilians -- Anderson, Rafael and Fabio -- love it and are first to training every morning. It's a breath of fresh air.
"Antonio Valencia is as tough as nails with great discipline about him. Chicharito has a fantastic attitude to playing and everything else. It's really good. We've done very well in Central and South America in the last two or three years.
United added another player from the part of the world recently, by signing highly-rated striker Angelo Henriquez from Universidad de Chile.
Another striker that recently pledged his future - Danny Welbeck - is being tipped to have a big future at Old Trafford by fellow England international Michael Carrick. "We've got five options up front, really, and Danny has played in different positions," Carrick told reporters.
"He's also played out wide and done fine. But I think he'll play more than his fair share of games up front and score enough goals. Watching the likes of Robin (Van Persie) and Wayne (Rooney) will improve him as the years go by.
Carrick also reserved special praise for new signing Robin Van Persie, who has started his United career in brilliant fashion already. "To get off the mark like he did at home with pretty much his first touch of the ball was special," he said. "Then his hat-trick was much needed because we were in a tough position.
"It's a better start than he could have hoped for and he will be looking to carry it on.
"When the ball came to him for his first goal at Southampton I was so confident it was going to be a goal. To have someone like that in your team is satisfying because you know if you supply him with the right ammunition, he will put it away.
"Hopefully Robin has a few more hat-tricks and goals in him for this season."
