Injured Nani out until April

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Nani will be out until next month after being injured in the 3-1 loss to Liverpool.

The Portuguese winger suffered a badly gashed shin in a crude tackle from Jamie Carragher, and the 24-year-old will miss United’s FA Cup quarter-final with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday, and Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg match with Marseille.

Ferguson said he was not expecting Nani back until after the next international break, which would rule him out the Premier League clash with Bolton on March 19, meaning his return date would most likely be the trip to West Ham on April 2.

“We have managed to stitch the injury, which is good news,” Ferguson said.

“We need to guard against infection and swelling.”

“It is difficult to say exactly when he will be ready to return but we won’t get him back for the Bolton match next Saturday.”

Nani has been one of United’s best players in recent weeks as they endured their toughest spell of the season.

After beginning their league campaign with a 24-match unbeaten run, United have lost three of their past five league fixtures, but still hold a three-point buffer on top of the table, although second-placed Arsenal have a game in hand.