Manchester United fear midfielder Nemanja Matic could be out for a month, sources have told ESPN FC.
The Serbia international was ruled out of the Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday after picking up an injury in training on Saturday. Scott McTominay took his place in midfield.
The 30-year-old has been a regular in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield since the Norwegian took over from Jose Mourinho in December. He has not missed a league game since the 1-1 draw with Wolves in September. Early indications suggest Matic could be sidelined for four weeks.
As well as Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford, it would also rule him out of the Champions League last-16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on March 6 and the trip to Arsenal on March 10. A month on the sidelines would see him miss United’s next six games.
Solskjaer has built his success on a midfield on Matic, Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera as he has racked up 11 wins from his first 13 games in charge.
Matic’s injury could offer opportunities to Brazilian Fred, a £47 million summer signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, Andreas Pereira and Scott McTominay.
Jesse Lingard is expected to feature against Liverpool after recovering from a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old passed a fitness test on Friday and has been included in the initial squad.