United's injury woe

Paul Scholes last night became yet another addition to Manchester United’s ever-expanding injury list.

The latest blow for boss Sir Alex Ferguson means a foray into the transfer market before Saturday’s deadline is even more crucial.

And with Nicky Butt missing the Champions League qualifier with a toe injury and Roy Keane thought to need a hip operation, Ferguson’s injury list appears to be lengthening all the time.

Here are the United stars currently crowding out the treatment room:

WES BROWN: The defender is out until November after fracturing an ankle in United’s shock first leg defeat to Zalaegerszeg in Hungary.

GARY NEVILLE: The full-back is still a fortnight away from a first-team return following the broken metatarsal which ruled him out of last summer’s World Cup. Could therefore be back for Bolton’s trip to Old Trafford on September 11, or the visit to Leeds three days later.

FABIEN BARTHEZ: Ferguson admitted this week he has no idea when the Frenchman will be back between the posts. Barthez suffered a hip injury in the pre-season friendly defeat by Ajax at the beginning of the month. Initially it was thought he would be back for the start of the Premiership campaign but deputy Roy Carroll looks set to continue for the immediate future.

PAUL SCHOLES: Last night became the Old Trafford club’s latest crock when he appeared to jar his ankle in a second-half challenge. The England man was carried off on a stretcher and looks set to join the throng on the sidelines.

RIO FERDINAND: The defender finally made his competitive United debut last night after missing the season’s opening exchanges with an ankle injury. When substituted in the second half the former Leeds man immediately reached for an ice pack for his ankle, although United are hopeful the worst of his injury problems are now behind him.

NICKY BUTT: Missed last night’s game because of a toe injury.

ROY KEANE: Thought to be about to undergo a hip operation.