Season over for Silvestre
14 Mar 2007 - 08:36:17
Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre will miss the rest of the season after being forced to undergo surgery on his right shoulder.
The versatile 29-year-old France international suffered a dislocated right shoulder in the 1-0 Champions League victory over Lille at Old Trafford and the problem has proved more serious than was first feared.
A United spokesman confirmed: "Mikael's right shoulder required surgery to stabilise the joint. He will be back in training in three months."
Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson had feared a major blow when the injury occurred, having said after the Lille clash: "It is not looking good for Mikael at all.
"At first we thought he had broken his arm but now it seems it is a dislocation. It is another big blow for us."
Silvestre had only started three games since the turn of the year, but has always remained an important member of Ferguson's squad.
He joined United in the summer of 1999 from Internazionale and has made more than 350 appearances in total for the Red Devils.