Manchester United defender Luca Ercolani has confirmed he will be out of action for some time after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament.
Ercolani, 19, became a mainstay for United U23s towards the end of last season, and he started all of the U19s UEFA Youth League fixtures at centre-back.
He featured in four of United U23s Premier League 2 fixtures this season, too, but suffered another setback that will keep him out for a long period.
Announcing the news on Instagram, Ercolani revealed he underwent surgery on his foot over the summer and felt he had come back stronger for the new season.
But a new injury to his right knee has seen him sidelined for a 'much longer' period.
He wrote: "May 2019. I was subjected to an operation on the fifth metatarsal of the left foot after having broken it during the last day of the championship. I spent three months working maniacally on every single unimaginable detail to get back into the strong field and in better conditions. I succeeded.
"Four games in August and I felt in incredible physical and mental condition. Then another door slams into my face. 130 days after the accident, after only 26 days on that green lawn, the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee decided to yield (ACL).
"I wonder how is it possible? There is no plausible answer, I do not deserve it, but it is part of the game and I am aware of it.
"The recovery time this time will be much longer, despite this, with the help of my club and the people closest to me, I am already super determined to start the journey of recovery with a smile. The beginning of new beginnings, I will never give up. See you soon."
