Manchester United defender Chris Smalling faces a month on the sidelines due to a fractured toe.

Smalling, 21, didn't feature during United's 1-0 win at Everton and manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the injury after the game.

"Smalling has a small fracture on his foot," he explained. "I think he'll be out for a month and it's unfortunate that one."

Javier Hernandez's goal put the Red Devils within two points of league leaders Manchester City in the Premier League.

Written by
Pascal Lemesre