Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits Michael Carrick will be out for a few weeks after injuring his ankle against Ajax in a pre-season friendly.
Following Friday night's exertions against Porto that saw the dismissals and consequent pending domestic suspensions of Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, Ferguson would have been praying his side came though Saturday's game unscathed.
It was, though, to be a difficult night for United in Amsterdam as although Ryan Giggs claimed the game's only goal it came at a cost as Rio Ferdinand was injured in the warm-up, before in the 14th minute Carrick went down under a challenge from Kenneth Perez.
The England midfielder was replaced immediately but looked in obvious discomfort and left the Amsterdam ArenA on crutches, much to the dismay of his manager.
Ferguson now concedes that his new £18.6 million signing looks a real doubt for the club's Premiership opener against Fulham on August 20.
"It looks like he'll be out for a few weeks - there's a lot of swelling and bleeding,'' Ferguson told Sky Sports News.
"It's a ligament to the front of the foot. Hopefully it won't be too long but it could be a few weeks.
''It's terrible luck. It seems like we are cursed at times but we'll have to get on with it.''
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=408061&CPID=8&clid=1&lid=2&title=Fergie+confirms+Carrick+injuryomg, we will be missing quite a number of key players for the starting game of EPL..
