Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has been ruled out for up to a month with a muscle rupture.
Manager Louis van Gaal told the club's official website on Friday that the 33-year-old will miss around four weeks of action.
The England international has been praised for his role in improving United's results since returning from an ankle ligament injury in November.
The Red Devils have won 63.6% of the 13 games that Carrick has started this season, compared to just a 30% win rate without him in the team.
Van Gaal added that Ashley Young is nearing a return following a hamstring problem which has sidelined him since New Year's Day.
