Manchester United could be without Michael Carrick for up to six weeks, it emerged last night. The midfielder, along with his Manchester United team-mate Danny Welbeck, withdrew on Tuesday through injury from the England squad to face Chile on Friday and Germany on Tuesday.

However, Carrick may be ruled out until after Christmas for United after it was reported he underwent a procedure to resolve a persistent achilles injury.

The 32-year-old is understood to have received an injection on Tuesday in the hope of reducing the inflammation. He has little chance of being available to face Cardiff in 10 days and has been granted leave by David Moyes to take a break in order to assist the healing process but there are fears that he will be sidelined for up to six weeks.

Carrick's absence will be a significant setback for Moyes and United as the former Tottenham midfielder has been a consistent performer, outshining United's new signing Marouane Fellaini, Tom Cleverly and Anderson.