Alex Ferguson has discovered that midfielder Michael Carrick has suffered a broken bone in his foot and is likely to be unavailable for the next six weeks. The 28 year old England international was injured in a challenge with Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun in the first half of United’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last weekend.

Speaking ahead of United’s Champions League clash against Spanish outfit Villarreal, Ferguson revealed “It's not turned out well for us, He has a small crack in his foot which was diagnosed on Sunday afternoon. It isn't good news."

It is doubling frustrating for Carrick as he has just returned to the United team after sustaining an ankle injury on the opening day of the Premier League season against Newcastle United.

Carrick’s injury adds to Ferguson’s current injury problems as Wes Brown and Dimitar Berbatov have also picked up knocks. Cristiano Ronaldo however is expected to return soon for Manchester United.