MANCHESTER: Manchester United says midfielder Michael Carrick will miss the opening two months of the season after ankle surgery.
Carrick injured ligaments in his left ankle in training this week and had the operation on Thursday.
United says Carrick will be out for 10 to 12 weeks.
The new English Premier League season begins in a month with a match against Swansea on Aug. 16.
The injury is an early setback for Louis van Gaal, who arrived in Manchester on Wednesday to take charge of the team.
The Dutch manager says "that's a blow for me because he's experienced. It's very important we have experienced players."