Former England international Paul Scholes is set to miss the next ten weeks of the season with a knee injury. The Manchester United veteran midfielder sustained the damage in the early minutes of the club’s Champions League game at AaB Aalborg.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson had initially suggested that Scholes could return within eight weeks. However, tests have revealed medial ligament damage that will require lengthy rehabilitation.

His injury comes at a bad time for United, with midfielders Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves also struggling with injury problems. Scholes has gradually become a squad player at the club that he has played at for his entire career. However, Ferguson has recognised that his and Ryan Giggs’ experience is a good asset for the team.