Blow for United as knee operation knocks out Scholes for three months

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The 32-year-old reported the injury during training prior his side's Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.

Paul Scholes was injured against Kiev last week

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday a first scan proved inconclusive - but a second examination today has confirmed ligament damage, meaning Scholes will now be out of action until February.

It is a big blow for Scholes, and also for United, even though the return of Owen Hargreaves for Saturday's Barclays Premier League win over Middlesbrough and the imminent return to training of Michael Carrick - who dislocated an elbow against Roma earlier this month - negate the impact slightly.

For over a decade, Scholes has been one of the mainstays of Ferguson's side and his unerring ability to produce goals at vital times has aided many of the Red Devils trophy successes down the years.

He had already made an amazing comeback from career-threatening eye surgery to play a major part in last season's title triumph and while he had only scored once in 12 appearances so far this term, few were discounting him as a massive influence on the current campaign.

Although there were early rumours of a three-month absence, United officials felt they were not in a position to confirm the bad news until a second examination had taken place.

It means the former England star - who has rejected two comeback calls from national boss Steve McClaren - will miss a minimum of 13 Premier League games, starting with Saturday's visit to Arsenal and including the crucial trip to Liverpool on December 16, plus the start of United's FA Cup campaign.

However, Ferguson will be delighted to note Scholes should be back in action - and hopefully fresh - when his side resume their Champions League quest at the knockout stage towards the end of February.