United without Jones for two months
Saturday, September 8, 2012
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Manchester United FC are likely to have to do without versatile defender Phil Jones for their first four Group H fixtures after he was ruled out for up to eight weeks following knee surgery.
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Manchester United FC's Phil Jones could be out until the middle of November after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
The versatile Jones became an integral figure for United last season but is yet to feature this term after picking up a back injury during pre-season. He has subsequently picked up a new problem in training. "Phil Jones has had surgery on a knee meniscus tear that will require six to eight weeks of rehabilitation," said a club spokesperson.
Jones therefore looks likely to miss at least United's first four UEFA Champions League Group H games. Sir Alex Ferguson's side begin their campaign against Galatasaray AŞ at Old Trafford on 19 September, with CFR 1907 Cluj and SC Braga also in their section.
Jones' fellow United defender Chris Smalling is expected to be out of action until next month with a broken metatarsal.