Injured Jones to miss three weeks

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Phil Jones to be out of action for “a few weeks” after the defender suffered ankle ligament damage against Arsenal.

The former Blackburn Rovers star turned on his ankle as he attempted to halt the advancing Theo Walcott during United’s 2-1 victory over the Gunners and was subsequently stretchered off.

Ferguson said the versatile England international is likely to miss around three weeks and admits that Michael Carrick was also struggling with hamstring problem during the second half at the Emirates Stadium.

“It’s not good news for us,” he said.

“I think Jones will be out for a few weeks – it’s ankle ligaments.”

“Carrick was feeling his hamstring in the second half and he just had to sit in the middle of the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger stood by his decision to withdraw Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 74th minute.

“I can understand that the fans are upset and frustrated about the decision, especially when it doesn’t work. That means that you made the right decision at the start of the game,” Wenger said.

“He (Oxlade-Chamberlain) had started to fatigue and stretch his calf. He was sick during the week. You have an 18-year-old kid making his first Premier League start and a player who is captain of his country and they are querying the substitution? Let’s be serious.”

“People pay for their tickets and are free to express their emotions. It doesn’t mean they are right always.”

“I have to stand up for the substitutions I make. I don’t have to explain every single decision. I’m 30 years in the job, I have made 50,000 substitutions. I do not have to explain myself to you (the press).”

The Arsenal boss said he did not blame Arshavin for being knocked off the ball so easily by Antonio Valencia in the build-up to United’s winner, which was eventually smashed home by Danny Welbeck.

“If you expect me to blame one player, it will not happen,” he said.

“We win together and lose together. If I make a mistake I am sorry.”

“It (the mistake by Arshavin) could have happened as well if he (Oxlade-Chamberlain) had stayed on. Manchester United are very dangerous on the flanks.”

Arsenal fans urged Wenger to spend some of the 50 million pounds in the transfer kitty.

“Spending money is not the target,” Wenger said.

“Buying good players is the target. We need our own players back. People are not conscious that we miss 10 players.”