EXCLUSIVE: Now Valencia is on crutches with Man United already reeling from Vidic loss

By Chris Wheeler

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Manchester United have been dealt another blow after captain Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for eight weeks following a knee operation as Antonio Valencia left the club’s Carrington training ground on crutches.

Valencia’s right foot is in a protective boot while United’s medical staff continue to assess the injury he suffered in Sunday’s victory at Liverpool.

The winger is understood to have been hurt winning the penalty which decided the game at Anfield, even though Liverpool’s Glen Johnson accused him of diving.

Nightmare: Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out until the end of November

Nightmare: Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out until the end of November

KEY MAN VIDIC

Without Nemanja Vidic, United’s win percentage in the Premier League drops by nearly 10 per cent. They have won 74 per cent with their captain and 65 per cent without him. They are also 30 per cent more likely to concede a goal in a game.

The loss of Vidic leaves United with only two first-choice centre-halves in Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans, with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones recovering from surgery. It will also raise questions over the condition of Vidic’s right knee, as it is the same joint the 30-year-old injured in a Champions League tie with Basel last December, keeping him out for nine months.

Sportsmail revealed then that the severity of Vidic’s injury — he damaged medial and lateral ligaments as well as rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament — was rare. It appears that the Serb has suffered complications five games into his comeback.

Blow: Antonio Valencia (centre) left United's training ground on crutches

Blow: Antonio Valencia (centre) left United's training ground on crutches

 

A club statement read: ‘Nemanja Vidic has had a meniscus operation on his right knee and will be out for around eight weeks. Sir Alex, as a precautionary measure, rested Vidic at the weekend, after he complained of tightness in his knee, however, further medical investigation revealed the underlying problem.’

Vidic, will now miss four of United’s five remaining Champions League group games and at least eight Premier League fixtures.

Ferguson will have Smalling and Jones back in the next six weeks but for now must rely on Evans — who has played three United games since foot surgery — while ensuring he does not put too much strain on Ferdinand’s long-standing back  problem.

The 32-year-old is set to be rested for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup tie against Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Darren Fletcher will make his first senior start in 10 months and Wayne Rooney is back in contention.

Big job: Rio Ferdinand (centre) will have a new partner in central defence

Big job: Rio Ferdinand (centre) will have a new partner in central defence

 

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

Shame KARMA sucks doesn't it? I hope it's not too serious. That's what you get for diving. I'm sure Glen Johnson is laughing his head off.

Click to rate     Rating   15

With Young injured, Nani seeminly not interested, Giggs too old to go racing down the wing, if Valencia is injured it might explain Fergie's experimentation in not playing any natural wingers last night, and what with Vidic out, with ther Spurs game coming up, it looks like Fergie is trying to keep things more compact.

Click to rate     Rating   5

As long as they have Howard Webb, Mark Halsey and the rest they will be ok!

Click to rate     Rating   12

Class winger

Click to rate     Rating   21

teach him for diving

Click to rate     Rating   26

What goes around comes around. He dived and conned the ref to get a penalty against Liverpool, now this. You reap what you so , cheating is abhorrent and this is what happens to cheats and divers.

Click to rate     Rating   8

Nani, that guy as a charmed life, first Young now Valencia.

Click to rate     Rating   26

Look at the last picture of rio & Suarez.. Says it all about liverfool really...

Click to rate     Rating   31

I'd be ashamed if I was a liverfool fan!

Click to rate     Rating   13

How pathetic when you have scumbags wishing pain, hurt, injury, illness, death on other people. All because they can't contain their own jealousy. Its people like you that makes this world so messed up!!!! If you got nothing good to say or discuss then keep your mouth shut. Preoccupy yourself in another way by going on a job website, dating website or start to look up how you can get a personality transplant!!!!!!!

Click to rate     Rating   7

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