Silvestre is ruled out three weeks
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Unlucky Silvestre misses both Champions League ties with Porto
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MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United have suffered another setback with the news that Mikael Silvestre is sidelined for three weeks after damaging ankle ligaments.
The French defender limped off during Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw against Leeds at Old Trafford after a clash with Alan Smith.
"It is a big blow for us but we will just have to get on with it," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson who is already without England defender Rio Ferdinand through suspension.
Another worry is that Wes Brown is still short of match fitness as United prepare for Wednesday's Champions League first leg against Porto in Portugal.
With 12 games to go in the Premier League United trail leaders Arsenal by seven points and Ferguson's defensive problems are mounting, with Gary Neville scheduled to start a four-match ban shortly.
Meanwhile, Neville's brother Phil warns that United will go out of the Champions League if their fail to improve on their recent form.
Ferguson's team have lost to Middlesbrough and drawn with struggling Leeds in their last two league games.
"Before the Leeds game the manager said that he didn't want us to stutter into the Champions League on Wednesday but we did stutter and the pressure is now on in Porto," Neville told the Manchester Evening News.
"Hopefully Wednesday can be a catalyst. It is a massive game for the club.
"In the past we have raised our game in the Champions League and we certainly need to do that in Portugal because if we play anything like we have done in the last couple of weeks, we are going to be out of the competition.
"The lads are tuned into Wednesday. We know it is a big occasion and hopefully that will bring the best out of us."
The English champions have conceded 11 goals in their last five matches while Porto are unbeaten in the Portuguese premier league this season and beat Vitoria Guimaraes 3-0 on Saturday.
