The Brazilian midfielder took a knock to the knee in Saturday's
clash with Crawley and scans have revealed cartilage damage.
Yesterday Anderson left the Carrington training ground on
crutches.
United are still hopeful he could avoid surgery but have
resigned themselves to being without the 22-year-old until
mid-April.
And that will come as a huge blow as United are short in
midfield with Antonio Valencia, Owen Hargreaves and Ji-Sung Park
all still crocked.
But there was some good news as Patrice Evra penned a new
3½-year deal at Old Trafford.
SunSport told you first back on October 26 that the full-back
was ready to commit his long-term future to the Red Devils.
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona were eyeing a
swoop.
But Evra, 29, has ended any doubts by agreeing a £90,000-a-week
contract which keeps him at United until 2014.
Evra said: "I've won a lot in the last five years, but I want to
win more and I know that's the mentality of everyone here."
Manager Alex Ferguson added: "His experience and talent will be
increasingly important to us."
Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov are also close to extending
deals.
