Eric Bailly will miss the remainder of the season after damaging the medial ligament in his right knee during Manchester United's game against Chelsea on Sunday.
The Ivorian was in visible discomfort as he limped off the pitch following a collision with Mateo Kovacic in the second half of the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Bailly was assessed by medical staff on Monday when ligament damage was confirmed.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after the match that he was expecting the worst after watching the defender trudge off on his first Premier League start in almost three months.
"I think it is a bad knee injury," the United manager said. "Hopefully it is not the worst case. I am sure we won’t see him again this season, unfortunately."
Bailly, who was reportedly in tears in the dressing room after picking up the injury, will also miss this summer's Africa Cup of Nations which is due to take place in Egypt between 21 June and 19 July.
Chris Smalling and Phil Jones both missed the draw with Chelsea due to fitness concerns so Bailly's injury could hand Solskjaer a selection dilemma if Smalling and Jones aren't back in time for Sunday's trip to Huddersfield.
United ended the game against Chelsea with Marcos Rojo partnering Victor Lindelof and the Argentine was lucky to avoid a late red card for a lunge on Willian.
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