Ferguson confirms Javier Hernandez blow

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that striker Javier Hernandez could be out for up to five weeks with an ankle injury.

The Mexican forward picked up the damage in Saturday's 1-0 win over Aston Villa and left the field on a stretcher.

When quizzed on the severity of the injury, Ferguson revealed the 23-year-old would be out for "a maximum of five weeks, a minimum of three", meaning that he will miss the club's entire festive programme.

He has been pencilled in for a return in the dramatic FA Cup third round showdown with rivals Manchester City on January 7.

Hernandez, who joined United from Chivas in 2010, has struck 26 goals in 62 games for the club.