Manchester United have grave fears about the prospects of Paul Scholes playing top-flight football again after confirming that he has been diagnosed with an unspecified medical condition that has affected his eyesight.
Specialists have advised the midfielder to take five months of absolute rest, with a series of extensive tests to be carried out before they can determine whether he will be able to resume his career next season.
Scholes has not played since the 2-2 draw at Birmingham City on December 28th, having complained after the match that he was suffering blurred vision in his right eye.
United's doctors initially thought that he must have taken a bang to the head and was suffering from mild concussion, but it has subsequently become clear that it is a far more complex problem.
In the last fortnight Scholes has been examined on several occasions by a specialist whom Alex Ferguson described as "the best man in Manchester and someone of world renown".
When nothing showed up and the problems persisted, United's medical staff decided it was time to ask for a second opinion. It is thought Scholes has had blood tests as well as a brain scan, though United have not specified the precise problem other than to say he has "a medical condition affecting the vision in his right eye".
They have not received any assurances about his future, but tried to remain positive, saying they were "looking forward to having him back" when the players report for pre-season training in June.
"It is not a football-related injury," the club said in a statement. "This has been confirmed by a number of specialists who have all agreed that he needs rest."
The club went on to describe it as "a disappointment for Paul and Manchester United that he will miss the rest of this season", an understatement in the extreme given his importance to the team and the lack of cover in midfield.
With Roy Keane having left the club, Ferguson has only Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith as recognised central midfielders.
John O'Shea, a full-back by trade, and Ryan Giggs, a left-winger, filled the positions against Liverpool on Sunday.
However, it was confirmed yesterday that O'Shea will be out for four to six weeks with two broken ribs.
The stance at Old Trafford last night was that Scholes's health was the paramount issue rather than the fortunes of the team, but the prospect of being without him for an extended period will trouble the United manager.
Ferguson has seen Scholes develop from Salford schoolboy into one of the finest midfielders of his generation and has almost unlimited respect for the 31-year-old, describing him in his autobiography as "not only a wonderful player but a great lad".
Few midfielders can match Scholes's record of 131 goals in 402 starts, plus another 88 substitute appearances.
The Glazers have assured Ferguson, via the chief executive, David Gill, that an unspecified amount of money is available for a new midfielder.
Gill had stated that there would be no more business at Old Trafford before the transfer window closes on January 31st, but funds will now be available if a deal can be hurried through.
Ferguson's usual modus operandi is not to be pressed into panic buys, but rarely before has he been so short in midfield. United will also investigate what midfielders are available on loan, with Thomas Gravesen's position at Real Madrid inviting inevitable speculation.
While it is not Ferguson's way to look back, he must regret United's inability to sign Michael Ballack, having offered to make the Bayern Munich midfielder the highest-paid player in the Premiership.
Five months of negotiations broke down in November when Real Madrid flexed their financial muscle and Ballack opted to move to Spain at the end of the season. Ferguson had likened Ballack to Scholes in terms of attacking impetus but now may be left without either.
O'Shea will be forced to miss three Premiership games, plus Sunday's English FA Cup tie at Wolves and a fifth round tie should United win at Molineux. An extra two weeks out would rule him out of the League Cup Final on February 26th, or the home game against West Ham 24 hours earlier if United are unsuccessful in tonight's match against Blackburn, plus the trip to Wigan.
In addition, O'Shea would also miss the Republic Ireland's match with Sweden on March 1st at Lansdowne Road which represents the first game in charge for Steve Staunton.
Guardian Service
