Manchester United hope Tom Cleverley will return to action in around a month after scans confirmed his foot injury was not as serious as first feared.
United, who are 10/11 with bookmaker to beat Benfica on Wednesday evening, had feared that Cleverley had broken his foot following a challenge by Kevin Davies during the 5-0 win at Bolton Wanderers, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson left unhappy by the tackle.
However, scans have not shown any fracture and England international Cleverley should return in a matter of weeks.
Meanwhile, left-back Patrice Evra insists the Premier League title race is not a two-horse race, despite many observers tipping the Red Devils and Manchester City to battle it out until the end of the season.
He said: “Some people are already saying the league looks like a competition between ourselves and City and are asking when the derby is. But I don’t forget Chelsea or Liverpool, they will be there as well.”