Marouane Fellaini fears he could face a lengthy lay-off after aggravating a long-standing knee problem. The United midfielder came on as a substitute for Paul Pogba in the second half of Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham but lasted just seven minutes before having to be withdrawn after succumbing to injury.

He was due to be scanned on Thursday to determine the full extent of the problem and a decision could be taken as early as Friday over whether the player requires surgery.

If Fellaini’s fears that he has suffered fresh damage to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his knee are confirmed and an operation is given the go-ahead, the Belgian could be out for around eight weeks.

Fellaini, 30, has been dogged by knee trouble since suffering third degree MCL damage that forced his substitution for Belgium against Bosnia-Herzegovina in early October.

He suffered complications upon his return to action for United at Chelsea a month later, and although he played through the pain barrier to feature against Newcastle, Basel and Brighton, the situation only worsened.