Two Weeks Out For Berbatov
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United have a formidable fixture list ahead of them in the next fortnight; tomorrow they face an Aston Villa side high on confidence after beating Arsenal at the Emirates, and they follow up that encounter with a tough trip to El Madrigal to face Villarreal in the Champions League midweek.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side then face Manchester City in the derby a week on Sunday, a team that completed the 'double' in league competition over the Red Devils last season.
The reigning European champions will have to plot the outcome of those testing tasks without the services of their £30.75 million record signing Dimitar Berbatov.
The 27-year-old limped off during Bulgaria's 6-1 hammering at the hands of Serbia on Wednesday, and his club manager has confirmed that he has strained a hamstring.
Ferguson told the press: "It is a slight strain rather than a tear, so that is positive news."
Further to United's injury concerns, defender Wes Brown will be absent for a month or more after exploratory surgery on an ankle knock.
Ferguson however, is confident that the gap at right back can be bridged.
He continued: "I would have thought Wes will be out for between four and five weeks, which is disappointing.
"Fortunately we have plenty of cover at right-back, with Gary Neville, Rafael Da Silva and John O'Shea available to come in."
The Scot was not optimistic about Rio Ferdinand's chances of featuring at Villa Park tomorrow. He confirmed that the 30-year-old was still suffering the effects of a back-knock that kept him out of England's win over Germany in midweek. -
cheese pie..i thought Brown's injury days were over.
