Manchester United defender Silvestre out for season

LONDON, Sep 17 (Reuters) Manchester United's France defender Mikael Silvestre is likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury at Everton, the champions said on their Web site.

The 30-year-old left back got his studs caught in the ground and fell awkwardly, twisting his knee in Saturday's Premier League match at Goodison Park which United won 1-0.

Silvestre, who will miss France's Euro 2008 qualifying run-in, is the third United player to suffer a serious knee injury this year following similar problems for South Korean midfielder Ji-sung Park and goalkeeper Ben Foster.

The unlucky Silvestre was ruled out for the remainder of last season in mid-March after dislocating his shoulder in a Champions League match against Lille at Old Trafford. On that occasion he required surgery to stabilise the joint.

United's injured midfielder Darren Fletcher and defender John O'Shea are also expected to be out for several weeks at least, the club added on their official www.manutd.com Web site yesterday.

Silvestre's absence, coupled with the sale of Argentina's Gabriel Heinze to Real Madrid in the close season, means Patrice Evra is manager Alex Ferguson's only recognised left back.

Reuters BJR DB1019