Patrice Evra has been ruled out of Manchester United‘s Champions League match against Celtic on Tuesday night.
The French left-back has a hamstring injury, which he picked up in the 4-0 Premier League win against West Bromwich Albion.
He took part in limited training at the club’s Carrington base on Monday, but Alex Ferguson decided not to risk aggravating the condition.
Ferguson said: “It’s too big a risk with a hamstring injury. He should be OK for Saturday.”
United travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League’s lunch-time kick-off.
Versatile Irishman John O’Shea is expected to fill in for Evra, while in-form forward Wayne Rooney might be rested after playing three games in a week for club and country.
Cristiano Ronaldo may also be given an evening off as he continues his return following ankle surgery in the summer.
United are without injured midfielders Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves.
Ferguson’s side have four points from their first two games after drawing at home to Villarreal and beating Aalborg away.
Celtic have a mini injury crisis ahead of the game, with strikers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Georgios Samaras and Chris Killen all out.
There are also concerns over the fitness of defender Gary Caldwell and former Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas.
Villarreal midfielder Sebastian Eguren and striker Nihat Kahveci are out of the Group E clash with Aalborg, but Brazilian midfielder Edmilson looks set to return.
Villarreal are in fine form this season, unbeaten in La Liga and in Europe with only three goals conceded in nine matches.
Aalborg midfielder Andreas Johansson has overcome his injury worries to be included in the 18-man squad for the trip to Spain.
Kasper Risgard, Michael Beauchamp and Jacob Nordstrom are sidelined for the Danes.
