Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo officially out for the rest of the season with cruciate knee ligament injury

MANCHESTER UNITED. defender Marcos Rojo out for the rest of the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The Argentinian joins Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the sidelines with the very same injury, both sustained in the game against Anderlecht on Thursday night.

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Rojo, 27, was forced off the field of play in the 23rd-minute of the extra-time win over the Belgians after a collision.

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Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic landed awkwardly after challenging for an aerial ball and will now be out until the beginning of 2018 – throwing his United career into jeopardy.

The Rojo news comes as a bitter blow to Jose Mourinho, as the Argentine had established himself as one of the best defenders at the club in recent weeks.

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He had turned out in 41 games in all competitions this season, most recently in the massive wins against Chelsea and Anderlecht.

Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic is United's top scorer this term, with 28 goals in all competitions from just 46 games, including 17 in the Premier League.

It is now looking increasingly unlikely that the Swede star will ever play for the Old Trafford club again.

PA:Press Association

Mourinho is now facing an defensive injury crisis of sorts, with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling already on the treatment table.

Eric Bailly and Daley Blind are now the only fit and available centre-halves for the Premier League game against Burnley on Sunday.

AP:Associated Press