O'Shea out for six weeks with rib injury

Manchester United have suffered a second shattering injury blow in a matter of hours after John O’Shea was ruled out for up to six weeks with fractured ribs.

O’Shea, 24, was forced out of Sunday’s win over Liverpool at half-time as he struggled to overcome the problem, which he apparently picked up during the FA Cup-replay triumph over Burton Albion four days earlier.

The Republic of Ireland international had a scan on the problem yesterday which confirmed Alex Ferguson’s worst fears on the same day Paul Scholes was ruled out for the remainder of the season.