Dimitar Berbatov will be sidelined against Aston Villa on April 5 2009 in a match that United cannot afford to lose or draw.
 
This has added to the injury worries for Alex Ferguson, as Rio Ferdinand is also unlikely to participate on Sunday having sustained an injury during England’s midweek match with Ukraine.
 
Berbatov is undergoing intensive medical treatment and his condition reportedly has improved, but it is still serious enough to keep him off the pitch. He missed Bulgaria’s World Cup qualifications against Ireland and Cyprus because of it, and Ferguson is going to rest his striker until he reaches full recovery.
 
Berbatov’s target to return in action is the quarter-final clash for the Champions League against Porto on April 7.
 
The Bulgarian captain was injured in the Premiership clash against Fulham a fortnight ago, which United lost 2-0.
 
If this wasn’t enough, United are already without England striker Wayne Rooney, who joins team mates Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes on the sidelines through suspension.

Ferguson is waiting for Carlos Tevez and Anderson to return from international duty on Friday afternoon before making a final assessment regarding their respective fitness. Anderson reportedly picked up a knock in training for Brazil, although Tevez is reportedly match fit.
 
Long term casualty, Gary Neville may get his first Premiership start since January.
 
On the United website, Ferguson was quoted as saying: "Gary did very well in the Reserves at Newcastle".

"You could tell he needed a game. But his training performances have been very good, and he comes into the picture for Sunday.