Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic suffered another blow after only just returning from a long-term injury with the club confirming the defensive stalwart would be out for at least two months.
Vidic, who was out for the final six months of the season last year after rupturing his cruciate, missed the big game against Liverpool due to tightness in his knee. Further tests showed a bigger problem, prompting doctors to undergo surgery, which meant an absence of eight weeks.
"Nemanja Vidic has had a meniscus operation on his right knee and will be out for around eight weeks," United said in a statement.
"Sir Alex, as a precautionary measure, rested Vidic at the weekend, after he complained of tightness in his knee, however, further medical investigation revealed the underlying problem.
"The central defender was operated on this week and will be sidelined for about eight weeks."
The new injury is sure to be a big cause of concern for Sir Alex Ferguson, after already being thin in the central defensive department due to injuries to Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. The other two recognized central defenders -- Rio Ferdinand seemed to play through some pain in the game against Liverpool and Jonny Evans also picked up a knock on Sunday.
Vidic is rightly regarded as one of the best defenders in the English Premier League, and an eight week absence means, he will likely miss three of United's Champions League games, along with seven Premier League matches, which includes big ones with Arsenal and Chelsea.
Ferguson has already been forced to use central midfielder Michael Carrick as a central defender this season, and that prospect will not be met with too much glee by either the player or the manager.
The injuries will mean a certain run out for young defenders in the Capital One Cup tie against Newcastle Wednesday, with Michael Keane and Scott Wooton the most likely pair to get the nod.
Ferguson has seen plenty of crises in his time at Old Trafford, and as the manager always does, he is sure to find a way around the problem and ensure United keep pace.
Meanwhile, Evans has backed Keane to make his mark in the League Cup. "I've been really impressed with young Michael Keane," Evans told the club's official website. "I think his brother has been getting more of the headlines over the last couple of years. Will's also a fantastic player but obviously he's got an injury at the minute.
"I've been really impressed with Michael when he's stepped up into training with us and I can see him getting a bit of a run-out if things go well."
