Christian Eriksen will be out of action for up to three months due to the ankle injury he suffered in Saturday's FA Cup win over Reading, Manchester United have confirmed.
Eriksen was on the receiving end of a heavy tackle from Andy Carroll in the second half, with the Reading forward surprisingly avoiding a yellow card.
Carroll was later sent off for another two forceful challenges.
Eriksen walked away from the incident to play on briefly, but he was soon replaced and later spotted leaving Old Trafford on crutches, with a protective boot supporting his left ankle.
United boss Erik ten Hag offered little insight after the match, but following examinations the club believe it is serious enough to potentially rule him out until May.
A statement read: "Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen is expected to be out of action for an extended period because of an ankle injury sustained in our Emirates FA Cup victory over Reading on Saturday.
"While investigations are continuing, initial assessments indicate that Eriksen is likely to be out until late April or early May."
The absence of Eriksen will be a major blow to United and Ten Hag, as the Danish midfielder has been a key component of the side since his arrival on a free transfer in pre-season.
Bruno Fernandes (2,603) is the only outfield player to spend more minutes on the pitch than Eriksen (2,274) across all competitions for United this season.
It is a similar story in terms of chances created, with Eriksen's 53 bettered by only Fernandes' 81, highlighting the Dane's creative importance, particularly from set-pieces.
Eriksen ranks highest in the squad for assists (nine), however, three more than Fernandes.
If the 31-year-old does not play again until the start of May, he will have missed at least 18 matches in all competitions.
That total will increase if United progress in the FA Cup, Europa League and EFL Cup – they are just 90 minutes away from the final of the latter after winning 3-0 away to Nottingham Forest in last week's semi-final first leg.
The return game at Old Trafford on Wednesday will be the first match Eriksen misses.
The absence of Eriksen further stretches United's midfield options after Donny van de Beek was ruled out for the season at the start of January.
It leaves Fernandes, Fred, Casemiro and Scott McTominay as their only recognised senior midfielders, potentially requiring 17-year-old Kobbie Mainoo – who has made two cup appearances but is yet to make his Premier League bow – to step up unless they delve into the transfer market before the window closes on Tuesday.
Argentina's training facility named after Messi
Argentina have honoured Lionel Messi's World Cup heroics by naming their training facility after their talismanic captain.
Casa de Ezeiza, in Buenos Aires, houses Argentina's national team set-up, but it will now be known as Lionel Andres Messi.
Chiqui Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), confirmed the news on Saturday, tweeting: "We lived a historic day in our Casa de Ezeiza, which from today will be renamed Lionel Andres Messi, in homage to the best player in the world.
"I want to thank all the managers, players and employees of @afa for having been with us."
Messi dragged Argentina to glory in Qatar last year, emulating the success of the late Diego Maradona as La Albiceleste claimed their third world title, and first since 1986.
"This recognition is one of the nicest I've ever received," Messi posted on Instagram. "A great honour, thank you very much!!!"
Messi scored the 800th goal of his stellar career in Argentina's 2-0 friendly win over Panama on Thursday. The 35-year-old's next goal on the international stage will be his 100th for his country.
Maguire suggests he does not feel fully appreciated at Man Utd
England centre-back Harry Maguire suggested he does not feel fully appreciated at Manchester United and insists his influence is still being fully felt at the club.
Maguire has started just five Premier League games all season after falling out of favour at United since the arrival of manager Erik ten Hag.
The 30-year-old has had no such problems under Gareth Southgate, having remained a regular for England despite his relative lack of minutes at club level.
Amid rumours that Maguire may look to find a new team ahead of next season, the former Leicester City man has defended his time at Old Trafford.
"In my last nine starts for United, we have won," he said. "I can't remember losing a game for United, so my influence is still there."
Asked if he feels properly appreciated, Maguire said: "For England, yes. Last season was difficult for [United] but I've proven myself to Gareth.
"I've made over 50 caps. I'm England's top-scoring defender. I've played nearly 200 times for United. I've captained the club for three years.
"I do also understand that when you are the captain of United you do come under the most amount of scrutiny.
"Last season at club level, my performances weren't good enough, alongside everybody else at club level."
Maguire played a full part as England kicked off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win away at Italy on Friday.
England exited the 2022 World Cup at the quarter-final stage, and Maguire says falling short of lifting the European Championship title next year will be "a failure".
"I believe we have the players to win it," he said. "I'm with a mindset of 'If we don't win the tournament, it's been a failure'.
"I've been at three major tournaments now and I've come so close. Obviously, we've got to qualify first from a tough group, we've come to Italy and got an amazing result.
"We're in a good place. But these big tournaments are decided on the finest margins.
"I think we played really well in the World Cup and ultimately we got knocked out by a good French team. So it's something that we're working on.
"We have so much talent and so many young players coming through."
Man City striker compared to Haaland 'can be best in the world', says team-mate
Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw has already prompted comparisons to Erling Haaland for her goalscoring exploits, and a Manchester City team-mate believes she can be the world's best player.
Jamaica striker Shaw has scored 26 goals in 23 games in all competitions for City this season, including 15 in 15 in the Women's Super League.
The 26-year-old has averaged a goal every 86 minutes in the league – not quite on par with men's star Haaland, who has scored every 76 minutes in the Premier League, but close enough for onlookers to note the similarities.
City manager Gareth Taylor did not shy away from comparisons between the "pretty remarkable" pair last week, explaining how both are "so mentally strong".
It is that quality that might yet make Shaw the world's best, with England defender Alex Greenwood backing her City colleague.
"I'm not surprised she's doing what she is doing, and she still has so many levels to go to, which is quite frightening to be honest," Greenwood told BBC Sport.
"I think she can be the best in the world if she wants to be. She has all the attributes to be the best in the world.
"I know how hard she works in training. It's the reason she's flourishing right now.
"She's been really strong for us, so we just need to keep feeding her, keep giving her the ball, and the rest she'll take care of."
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