Soccer:Michael Owen is facing another spell on the sidelines after limping out of Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Otelul Galati on Wednesday night.
The former England striker has handed a rare start by Sir Alex Ferguson but lasted just 10 minutes before tweaking a thigh muscle.
Owen suffered the injury during the move which led to Antonio Valencia's opener. Wayne Rooney sealed the win with a deflected goal late on.
Ferguson admitted he felt sympathy for the injury-prone forward.
"It's a blow for the lad," said the Red Devils' boss. "He's done a thigh muscle and it's a complete freak.
"I feel for him. It's difficult to say how long-term it is."
Victory put United top of Group C from Benfica, who visit Old Trafford next later this month.
It puts the Red Devils in pole position to qualify for the knockout stage.
"We've won the game and it has put us in the position where if we win that we've won the group so that is the incentive for us," added Ferguson.
"Given the history between both clubs (us and Benfica) it should be a good night, a good atmosphere, a really big game and we can look forward to that one."
