Manchester United injury list: Michael Carrick will miss four weeks with muscle rupture

Midfielder joins Ashley Young, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling on the sidelines

Ferguson believes Michael Carrick is England's best central midfielder (Getty Images)

Michael Carrick will miss at least the next four weeks after rupturing a muscle.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal confirmed the English midfielder, 33, will be out on the club website.

Carrick, whose 14 matches this season have seen eight wins and four draws, will likely miss the home fixture against Leicester City this weekend, as well as the FA Cup replay against Cambridge United and Premier League matches against West Ham, Burnley, Swansea and Sunderland.

However, Van Gaal said there was good news, with Ashley Young close to a return "We don’t have many injuries," the manager said.

"Ashley Young is coming back, but Michael Carrick has been injured now so he is out at the weekend. He can be important for the team but he is now injured.

"I think it shall take more than four weeks, so it is not a minor injury but a muscle rupture, I think.

"He is also the second captain but I have to say that’s part of the job of a manager, especially this season at Manchester United, because we have suffered a lot of injuries. But now we have seen [the light at] the end of the tunnel."

Earlier today, Ander Herrera described Carrick as "one of the best players" he's played with.

Ander Herrera (GETTY IMAGES)

"He always gives us calmness; he's a very calm guy when he's playing. He gives me confidence," says Herrera.

"He is very good for the young players because he always tries to help, not necessarily with words but with his attitude and his calmness.

"He is one of the best players I've ever played with and a very good professional," added the Spaniard. "We can all improve by looking at him and what he does. I feel lucky to play with him."