Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov will miss tomorrow's league clash at Aston Villa and Tuesday's Champions League game at Villarreal because of a hamstring injury sustained in Bulgaria's 6-1 defeat to Serbia.
United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed the loss today. Defender Wes Brown is also out and faces four or five weeks on the treatment table after undergoing an exploratory operation on an ankle injury.
Rio Ferdinand may also miss the game as he tries to shake off a back injury which kept him out of the Berlin international.
Berbatov was substituted after 30 minutes with cramp during Bulgaria's defeat on Wednesday.
"It's not a tear. It's a slight strain but with hamstrings you don't take any chances. There's no point in making it worse," Ferguson said.
"He will certainly be out for tomorrow and he will be out for Tuesday but there's a slight chance he may be available for the City game."
Wayne Rooney, who missed England's 2-1 friendly win over Germany on Wednesday after suffering a chest infection, is likely to be fit.
United have won 11 times in 12 visits to Villa Park and Ferguson is keen to build on last Saturday's 5-0 win over Stoke City which lifted them to third in the table.
"We recognise Aston Villa as an improving side and I think (manager) Martin O'Neill has done a fantastic job so we expect a really difficult challenge," said Ferguson. "We got five goals last week and goal difference could be an issue this year, you never know. This is why we have to push on and start taking our chances regularly because the football we are playing deserves more than we are getting at the moment."
Ferguson has admitted he only has himself to blame for his two-match touchline ban and €11,900 fine.
The Manchester United boss was found guilty of improper conduct by the FA this week for his post-match rant at referee Mike Dean after the Red Devils overcame Hull 4-3 at Old Trafford.
It is the second time Ferguson has been consigned to the stands for a couple of games in the last 12 months, having served a similar suspension last Christmas for his verbal attack on Mark Clattenburg.
Ferguson claimed a couple of weeks ago he was surprised to have been charged. But the Scot was in phlegmatic mood as he assessed the latest turn of events.
"It happens," reflected Ferguson. "It is my own fault."
