Ferguson, McLeish count injury cost

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has rued Javier Hernandez’s likely absence of up to four weeks with suspected torn ankle ligaments.

Saturday’s English Premier League fixture against Aston Villa – which finished 1-0 in United’s favour – was not yet 10 minutes old when Hernandez fell despite not having been touched by an opponent, prompting his immediate withdrawal on a stretcher.

“I think it’s torn ligaments in the ankle, it’ll keep him out for maybe four weeks,” Ferguson told ESPN after the game.

“We’re having a bad time with injuries at the moment, so it’s just as well we have a strong squad.”

Hernandez joins fellow forwards Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen, who both missed the game at Villa Park, on the treatment table.

But aside from the knock to his young poacher, Ferguson was pleased with the outcome of the match, which was decided thanks to Phil Jones’ maiden senior goal.

“I thought we deserved the victory,” the Scot said.

“We had great possession at times. I feel we were a bit wasteful with the chances we had in the second half, but away from home at Villa Park is always a difficult place to go to. We’re happy with the result.”

Villa had their own injuries to contend with, after Shay Given was replaced by Brad Guzan on 38 minutes and Jermaine Jenas left the pitch on a stretcher 20 minutes into the second half.

“I’m not sure but I think Shay had a little tweak in his hamstring. Hopefully it’s a grade one (tear) and will heal really quickly,” Villa boss Alex McLeish told Sky Sports.

“Brad Guzan can be proud of the way he came in in those circumstances.”

“As for Jermaine Jenas, we don’t know, but we think he’s had an injury to his Achilles but we will wait until the morning to see.”