Marcos Rojo Reportedly Out for Season with Cruciate Injury

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2016-17 season after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee, per ESPN FC.

On Saturday, United released a statement on Rojo, with the club confirming the defender had suffered "significant knee ligament damage," although they declined to give a timeline for his return. 

The Argentinian was stretchered off in the first half of United's UEFA Europa League quarter-final second-leg triumph over Anderlecht on Thursday and will be forced to sit out the important final stretch of the campaign.

Jose Mourinho's side are still in the hunt for a fourth-place Premier League finish and will play in the semi-finals of the Europa League, but they'll have to cope without Rojo.

Dave Thompson/Associated Press

Amid Manchester United's injury crisis, Rojo has been a shining light in the heart of defence.

His performance in the recent victory over Chelsea brought about plenty of admiration, as he silenced the usually noisy Diego Costa and gave him a torrid time all afternoon.

James Dall of ESPN FC was one of many singing the defender's praises at the final whistle:

Now, United's defensive woes have worsened. Precious few fit central defenders means Mourinho will need to shuffle the pack. The United manager told reporters he hopes Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will return to action sooner rather than later:

"

We have Daley Blind [in defence] who has experience in the position and I think it is time for Jones and Smalling to be brave and to risk, because for the team you have to do everything. You cannot do miracles, so I don't expect miracles, but we do everything to accelerate the process.

"

Blind is likely to deputise in the heart of defence alongside Eric Bailly for Sunday's clash with Burnley, while Michael Carrick is also capable of stepping into a defensive role.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Manchester United have an important final month of the season in front of them, and it could define Mourinho's reign.

Should United fail to qualify for the 2017-18 Champions League by whichever means necessary, the Portuguese boss' first term in charge will be branded a failure. Rojo's injury has made a big dent in his bid to silence the critics.

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