Scholes, 32, sustained the injury during training ahead of his side's Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev last Tuesday and is unlikely to play again before February.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed on Friday that a first scan proved inconclusive, but a second examination on Monday has confirmed ligament damage.

A club spokesperson told ManUtd.com: 'We can confirm that Paul Scholes has suffered a knee ligament injury. He will undergo an operation on Thursday and will be out for approximately 12 weeks.' Scholes's absence is another injury blow for Ferguson, who are already without Michael Carrick, Gary Neville, Louis Saha and Patrice Evra.

The former England international had already made a comeback from career-threatening eye surgery to play a major role in last season's title triumph.

Although he has only scored once in 12 appearances this season, his influence on a young United side has been invaluable.

Scholes will miss at least 13 league matches, starting with the champions' crunch clash at Arsenal on Saturday. -- AFP