Scholes out for three months

Man Utd boss Paul Scholes is set to be out of action for up to three months as he undergoes a knee operation on Thursday after picking up an injury in training prior to the Dynamo Kiev match in the Champions League.

The 32-year-old reported the injury during training prior his side's Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday a first scan proved inconclusive - but a second examination on Monday has confirmed ligament damage, meaning Scholes will now be out of action until February.

It is a big blow for Scholes, and also for United, even though the return of Owen Hargreaves in Saturday's Premier League win over Middlesbrough and the imminent return to training of Michael Carrick - who dislocated an elbow against Roma earlier this month - negate the impact slightly.

For over a decade, Scholes has been one of the mainstays of Ferguson's side and his unerring ability to produce goals at vital times has aided many of the Red Devils trophy successes down the years.