Manchester United suffered a double blow on Thursday with Daley Blind ruled out for a ‘long’ spell due to a knee problem and Radamel Falcao receiving a "new injury" that will keep him out for at least two more weeks.
"Blind is not ready, he has a brace on his knee. He needs 10 days' rest. Then we'll have another scan and say more about his injury," manager Louis van Gaal was quoted as saying on the club website.
"It's not as bad as the doctors thought after the match. It shall be a long story, I believe, but not six months or something."
Midfielder Blind limped off in the Netherlands' 6-0 win over Latvia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Nov. 16.
Earlier on Thursday, United said on their Twitter account that Blind "could be out for six months".
On-loan striker Falcao, who has not featured since United drew 2-2 at West Bromwich Albion on Oct. 20, has injured his calf and is at least two weeks away from returning to fitness.
"It takes time," Van Gaal said. "Next week he shall train...and then he needs two weeks and maybe a game."
The Colombia international dismissed media reports he was struggling to get over the serious knee injury he suffered last season.
"It detracts from the credibility of the media that there is so much speculation and that so many falsehoods have been written," Falcao said.
"I did take a small injury to my calf, which is something that I need to be careful with, but there are a lot of stories circulating that are pure speculation."
United had doubts about 12 players for this Saturday's Premier League match at Arsenal in the wake of the international break but Van Gaal was hopeful winger Angel Di Maria, keeper David De Gea, full back Luke Shaw and midfielder Michael Carrick would be fit.
Arsenal's Giroud ready to return against United - Wenger
Arsenal's France striker Olivier Giroud could return for their Premier League clash with Manchester United on Saturday after recovering from a broken leg nearly a month ahead of schedule.
Giroud, 28, broke his left tibia in the closing seconds of Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Everton on Aug. 23, moments after scoring a 90th minute goal that secured a point for the Gunners.
"He is three or four weeks ahead of schedule," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told a news conference on Thursday.
"Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year. So he's one month ahead."
Arsenal reacted to the loss of the Frenchman by buying Danny Welbeck from United on the closing day of the transfer window and he has scored five times, although only two of those goals have been in the Premier League.
Welbeck is expected to face United on Saturday for the first time since leaving the Old Trafford club.
Wenger also confirmed that 32-year-old midfielder Mikel Arteta, who pulled a hamstring in the 3-3 Champions League draw with Anderlecht on November 4, is ready to return after missing the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Swansea City five days later.
Iniesta back in training before Sevilla clash
Barcelona's Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta was back in training on Thursday as he continues his recovery from a calf strain.
Iniesta sustained the injury in last month's 3-1 defeat at Real Madrid in the La Liga 'Clasico' and although he has yet to be given the all-clear by the club's medical staff he could feature in Saturday's game at home to fifth-placed Sevilla.
Thomas Vermaelen, who joined from Arsenal in the close season but has yet to make his official debut, and fellow defender Jeremy Mathieu also trained on Thursday as they bid to shake off niggling injuries, Barca said on their website.
They are second in La Liga after 11 matches, two points behind leaders Real, who play at Eibar on Saturday.
Iniesta's return would provide some much-needed creativity in a side that has struggled for goals in recent outings.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, whose ban for biting an opponent at this year's World Cup expired the day before the 'Clasico', has still not opened his account in three La Liga appearances and one in the Champions League for his new club.
Brazil forward Neymar has been in fine form but four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has been off colour and remains one goal short of the Spanish top-flight record of 251 set six decades ago by ex-Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra.
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