Sir Alex Ferguson says Phil Jones will be out for ‘a few weeks’ after suffering ankle ligament damage in Manchester United‘s win at Arsenal.

The teenage defender was stretchered off just 15 minutes into United’s 2-1 triumph at Emirates Stadium on Sunday after suffering the knock.

Jones had only just returned after missing last weekend’s win over Bolton due to injury.

The Red Devils were dealt further blows when Nani hobbled off in the second half and left the stadium in a protective boot, while Wayne Rooney was also hobbling at the final whistle.

Ferguson, who was already without Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Michael Owen and long-term absentees Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic, said: “It’s not good news for us.

“I think Jones will be out for a few weeks – it’s ankle ligaments.

“Carrick was feeling his hamstring in the second half and he just had to sit in the middle of the pitch.”

Despite United’s injury woes, Ferguson took some solace from the performance of young striker Danny Welbeck, who netted United’s winning goal.

“Danny was fantastic. His work-rate and movement are great – he’s always on the shoulder of defenders and ready to run through [on goal],” said the boss.

“He could have scored five today – he was through three or four times. He was unlucky in that sense, but he’s got the important goal and continued his run of scoring in the first team. For a 21-year-old he’s doing really well.”