Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick faces lengthy spell out

Michael Carrick is facing an extended spell on the sidelines at Manchester United that could rule out the midfielder until Christmas after under­going a procedure to resolve a persistent Achilles injury.

The 32-year-old, who has withdrawn from the England squad for the Wembley friendlies against Chile and Germany as a result of the problem, is understood to have received an injection on Tuesday aimed at reducing the inflammation that has troubled the player in recent weeks.

While the club were initially hopeful that the injection could see Carrick recover in time to face Cardiff City in 10 days’ time, senior figures at Old Trafford confirmed last night to the Telegraph that the player would be sidelined for at least a month and potentially as long as six weeks.

Carrick has now been given permission by manager David Moyes to leave the country to undertake a short break before he begins his rehabilitation.

While the former Tottenham player has been able to overcome discomfort in order to continue playing for United in recent weeks, Moyes has now accepted the need for Carrick to have the problem addressed. His absence will be a blow, however, with Moyes now without his most con­sistent midfielder and left to rely on Ryan Giggs, who is 40 in two weeks’ time, and the out-of-sorts Tom Cleverley and Anderson.

Another option, Marouane Fellaini, a £27.5 million signing from Everton in August, has yet to impress since arriving at Old Trafford, with Moyes conceding recently that the Belgian has struggled for form and fitness during his three months at the club.

Darren Fletcher will not be rushed back from stomach surgery to fill the gap, but Moyes could be forced to turn to Phil Jones, who performed well alongside Carrick against Arsenal at the weekend, despite the manager regarding the 21-year-old as a long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand at centre-half.

Carrick’s withdrawal from Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the forthcoming friendlies highlighted the ongoing nature of the injury, and emphasises United’s concerns over his ability to play on with the problem. Moyes rested Carrick for the recent fixtures against Norwich City, Fulham and Real Sociedad, only to restore him to the team for the victory against Arsenal. Following that game, Carrick’s brother, Graeme, tweeted about the midfielder “playing on one leg” following his performance in the 1-0 win.

Carrick, who had been due to win his 32nd England cap against Chile on Friday, has been troubled by Achilles issues in the past, with a similar injury being one of the factors in his decision to decline the opportunity to be considered for a place in Hodgson’s squad at Euro 2012.

Meanwhile, Robin van Persie will undergo treatment in Manchester after withdrawing from Holland’s friendlies against Japan and Colombia with groin and toe problems.