Man Utd´s Evra out for three weeks

Manchester United will be without Patrice Evra following the injury suffered by the France left-back in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Chelsea.

But manager Sir Alex Ferguson has played down fears over Rio Ferdinand, who has been sidelined for a month as a result of spasms in his back, insisting the England defender would be ready to return next week.

Evra, who was outstanding against Chelsea after serving a four-match ban, has suffered ligament damage in a foot.

Ferguson said: “Evra will be out for three weeks minimum and maybe four. It shouldn’t be any more than that.

“He just went over on his foot and has done the little ligament in his foot, so we need to get the swelling down and that will take about 7-10 days.”

The United boss had hoped Ferdinand would return for the Chelsea match but the centreback was forced to see a consultant after the back problem recurred and will now miss Wednesday’s match at home to Wigan and Saturday’s trip to Bolton.

“Rio has been to a specialist and there are no major problems with his back, but he won’t be involved against Wigan,” Ferguson said.

“We are giving him a series of exercises, but he should be ok and we hope he’ll be back for the Spurs game.”

United take on Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round on January 24.