Nick Montgomery has been ruled out of serious football action for virtually the rest of the season.

United's long serving and most competitive midfielder underwent a foot operation on Wednesday to have a pin put in the metatarsal that troubled him for several weeks until it showed up on a scan after the fixture at Hillsborough.

Bryan Robson confirmed the news: "It is really bad luck for Nick who has had a dreadful time with injury this season. The theory is that he will be out for eight to twelve weeks which effectively means we could be without him until next season.

"But he is a quick healer and very determined so don't rule him out totally at this stage."