“It is unfortunate. It is worse than we thought.”

Manchester United have been dealt an injury blow as Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that Tom Cleverley is likely to be out until Christmas time.

The midfielder has shone in his debut season in the first team but injury has limited his time on the pitch.

Initially it was an ankle injury sustained following a heavy challenge from Bolton’s Kevin Davies that kept him out but a knock in the game against Everton appears to have worsened that and now he is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as Sir Alex said today,

“It is pretty long term. (He will be out until) Christmas time.

“It is unfortunate. It is worse than we thought.

“When he first came off against Everton he reported it as just a tightness, with a bit of pain.

“We have done scans again and the injury has recurred.

“We will have to give him a break.”