Injuries weaken United midfield
Monday, September 1, 2003
Article summary
Paul Scholes could face a month out if he requires hernia surgery, while Kleberson has a dislocated shoulder.
Article body
Rest cure
Sir Alex Ferguson omitted the midfield player from yesterday's 1-0 defeat at Southampton FC as the United manager hopes that rest will prevent the need for Scholes to have an operation.
'Third operation'
"We will leave it for seven days to see if it settles down," Sir Alex said. "Because it would be his third operation on the same problem, our surgeon is reluctant to operate right away. Otherwise he will be given a further three weeks' rest."
Missing for England
Scholes was not selected for England's UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers against F.Y.R. Macedonia and Liechtenstein and could even miss the decider against Turkey on 11 October should he go under the knife.
Kleberson injury
Meanwhile, Scholes's United team-mate Kleberson has dislocated his shoulder after falling awkwardly at Southampton. The Brazilian left the pitch holding his arm after 67 minutes and a subsequent x-ray revealed the dislocation. It has not been revealed how long he will be out for, though United's opening Champions League game at home to Panathinaikos FC on 16 September could come too soon.
