Manchester United could reportedly be without their captain Nemanja Vidic until the New Year.
The Serbian defender had originally been ruled out of action until early December with a knee problem.
However, the centre-back has made slow progress in his rehabilitation and as a result the United medical staff are not prepared to take any risks, according to Goal.com.
The 31-year-old only returned to the squad at the start of the current season following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament complaint.
He joined United in 2006 from Spartak Moscow.
