Manchester United’s Champions League saviour Robin van Persie has been ruled out of action for four to six weeks with injury.
The English champions made the shock announcement ahead of their weekend clash against West Ham.
Van Persie, with his first European hat-trick, became the first United player to score a Champions League treble in the knockout stages against the Greek champions, almost single-handedly lifting Old Trafford’s spirits on Wednesday.
However the Dutchman went down late in the game and the news will come as a huge blow to manager David Moyes, whose side were drawn to play European champions Bayern Munich in Friday’s Champions League quarter-final draw.
“Following further investigation, Robin van Persie has a sprained knee, which will keep him out for around four to six weeks,” United said on their website.
Van Persie joined United from Arsenal ahead of last season and promptly finished league top scorer with 26 goals, playing a decisive role in helping the multiple English champions to their 13th Premier League crown.
United are currently 18 points behind leaders Chelsea in seventh spot and realistically will not even manage a top-four finish this season to guarantee Champions League action in 2014-15, their only real chance being to win the competition for a third time.
Main image courtesy of Jason Cairnduff/Action Images, with thanks.
