Thiago ruled out for United meetings

FC Bayern München midfielder Thiago Alcántara will miss both legs of his side's UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United FC after sustaining ligament damage to his right knee.

The 22-year-old was taken off in the first half of the newly crowned German champions' 3-3 Bundesliga home draw with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim this afternoon, with Bayern saying the player had suffered a partial tear of a medial collateral ligament. The Spanish international is expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks, with coach Josep Guardiola suggesting the injury may require surgery. "This is very bad news," Guardiola said. "He'll be sorely missed." Bayern travel to United for the first leg on Tuesday, with the return fixture on 9 April.