Manchester United have suffered a huge blow in their bid for the title after Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed captain Nemanja Vidic is out for the rest of the season.
Speaking on Friday morning, Ferguson revealed the centre-back will not return until next season after damaging his knee in Wednesday's Champions League defeat against Basle.
It comes after one of Vidic's representatives, Silvano Martina, said: 'He has ruptured his cruciate ligament. He will be out for several months.'
Severe bruising and swelling made the procedure difficult..
United suffered another blow on Thursday when it emerged that England winger Ashley Young may have aggravated his broken toe against Basle.
Young had been out for a month with his toe injury and there are concerns that he faces another lay-off after leaving the pitch in the 64th minute.
United's 2-1 defeat means they miss out on the Champions League knockout stage for the first time in six years and Ferguson met with chief executive David Gill on their return to assess a failure that could cost the club in excess of £20million.
One of the other topics likely to have been up for discussion was the possibility of signing reinforcements next month in the face of a mounting injury crisis.
Ferguson could be without nine first-team players for Saturday's game at home to Wolves.
The mood around the club was said to be horrendous on Thursday as they came to terms with being out of the Champions League.
However, Rio Ferdinand promised that they will swallow their pride at being relegated to the Europa League.
'We have to be prepared, it's as simple as that,' said Ferdinand. 'No matter what gets said, ridiculed or not, we respect the tournament and will go in there to win it.'
Speaking on Friday morning, Ferguson revealed the centre-back will not return until next season after damaging his knee in Wednesday's Champions League defeat against Basle.
Down and out: Vidic went down in agony after a coming together with Streller
Severe bruising and swelling made the procedure difficult..
Blow: United fear Vidic is out for the season
Young had been out for a month with his toe injury and there are concerns that he faces another lay-off after leaving the pitch in the 64th minute.
United's 2-1 defeat means they miss out on the Champions League knockout stage for the first time in six years and Ferguson met with chief executive David Gill on their return to assess a failure that could cost the club in excess of £20million.
One of the other topics likely to have been up for discussion was the possibility of signing reinforcements next month in the face of a mounting injury crisis.
Ferguson could be without nine first-team players for Saturday's game at home to Wolves.
Injury blow: Young faces another lay-off after leaving the pitch in the 64th minute
However, Rio Ferdinand promised that they will swallow their pride at being relegated to the Europa League.
'We have to be prepared, it's as simple as that,' said Ferdinand. 'No matter what gets said, ridiculed or not, we respect the tournament and will go in there to win it.'
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