• Premier League

Man United rocked by Kagawa blow

ESPN staff
October 26, 2012

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Shinji Kagawa will be out for as long as a month with a knee injury.

Japan international Kagawa picked up the injury midway through the first half of the 3-2 win over Braga in the Champions League in midweek, but he played on for a further 20 minutes before he was eventually withdrawn at half-time.

He is now set to miss as many as seven games for the club, including Sunday's trip to face Premier League leaders Chelsea, the home league clash against Arsenal and two further European games.

"He'll be out for three to four weeks," Ferguson said during Friday's press conference. "Playing on with the injury didn't help the situation, he did well to play on to be honest with you.

"It's similar to the one Ashley Young had but not as bad. Three or weeks is what we're hoping for.

"Other than that, Chris Smalling is back training on the football side of it. Phil Jones will hopefully be a week on Monday, so things are getting better.

"Certainly getting Smalling back will be a big bonus for us. Other than that, everyone is fit for Chelsea."

Sunday's game against Chelsea is the first of two in a week for United as they return to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday for a Capital One Cup tie.

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