United target left in the dog house

Manchester United's aim of reinforcing their defence with the Rennes left-back Julien Escudé has been tripped up ... by the player's pet dog.

The French defender, who had described a switch to Old Trafford as a "dream move", had hoped to be in the squad in time for the Champions' League. Now he will be out of action for a month after hurting his left knee while exercising his pet. Sir Alex Ferguson, whose defence is already missing Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Wes Brown through injury, was left gnashing his teeth at the news.

"I was out with my dog when I twisted my knee," the Frenchman said. "It has come at the wrong time. I will be on crutches for a few days and the doctor thinks I have strained ligaments in my knee and could be out for around four weeks."

United are now unlikely to sign Escudé, who would not pass a medical before the Champions' League deadline.

United could, however, have their first-choice goalkeeper Fabien Barthez back in the fold for next week's Champions' League return leg against Hungarian side Zalaegerszeg at Old Trafford, though he will not feature against Chelsea this week.

Neville also expects to be back "in two or three weeks". The England full-back broke a metatarsal bone in his foot in April, an injury which forced him to pull out of Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad.

Neville said: "I'm hopefully going to play in a reserve-team game next week. I would hope to be ready for selection in around two or three weeks."