Antonio Valencia Out For Rest Of The Season?

Alex Ferguson has suggested that Antonio Valencia could be out of action for the rest of the season after dislocating and fracturing his ankle against Rangers last night.

Manchester United for their Champions League campaign underway at Old Trafford last night but a poor performance from the reds was overshadowed by the injury after the winger was brought down by Kirk Broadfoot.

The twenty five year old screamed in agony and need oxygen as he was carried off the pitch and he now faces an operation.

Speaking to Sky Sports he said: "It is a dislocation or a fracture and he gets operated on tomorrow morning. It was an innocuous challenge but when you saw the Rangers player waving, you knew it was a bad one.

"It is a bad blow for the boy. It is similar to the injury Alan Smith got and you are talking about the rest of the season."

Ferguson made ten changes to the side that drew 3-3 with Everton at the weekend and while Wayne Rooney made his return and Rio Ferdinand played for the whole ninety minutes Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov didn't even make the bench.

But despite the 0-0 draw with the Scottish side Ferguson defended his team selection: "The criticism will be why didn't I play a stronger team.

"I think I played a very strong team. People forget eight of them played against Chelsea in the Charity (Community) Shield. It's a terrific squad of players we have and there was no problem playing them.

"They should have won that game, but give credit to Rangers, their system is very difficult to break down."

Manchester United will face old rivals Liverpool this weekend.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw