The Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been ruled out for 10 weeks after suffering medial ligament damage to his right knee during Manchester United's Champions League win over Aalborg last night.

Scholes was removed on a stretcher just 16 minutes into United's 3-0 win and Sir Alex Ferguson initially suggested he would be out for "six to eight" weeks. After Scholes was treated by United's medical staff this morning, however, the club released a statement on their website saying he would not return for "approximately 10 weeks".

If that diagnosis proves accurate, Scholes will not return before United's game at Tottenham on December 13. He could miss as many as 16 matches in that time, including all of United's remaining Champions League group games and Premier League away games at Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City.

Wayne Rooney and Rafael Da Silva also picked up injuries for United last night, though they are thought to be less serious. Nevertheless Ferguson suggested that Rooney was likely to miss Saturday's Premier League game against Blackburn at Ewood Park.

"We hope it is not ligament trouble," said Ferguson of Rooney. "But he is doubtful for Saturday, I would imagine."