Shevchenko ruled out of United tie

AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko will miss next Wednesday's UEFA Champions League tie with Manchester United FC after fracturing a cheekbone and eye socket during his side's 1-0 win over Cagliari Calcio on Saturday.

Clash of heads
The European Footballer of the Year was forced to leave the pitch in the eleventh minute of the match at the Giuseppe Meazza after clashing heads with a Cagliari defender.

Surgery on Monday
A statement on Milan's website on Saturday said Shevchenko would have an operation on Monday and was expected to recover within ten to 12 days, ruling him out of the first knockout round, first-leg tie against United at Old Trafford. The injury also makes him extremely doubtful for next weekend's city derby with FC Internazionale Milano.

Serginho winner
Milan went top of Serie A with their victory over Cagliari, substitute Serginho scoring the only goal of the game in second-half injury-time. Milan are now top on goal difference after Juventus FC could only draw with FC Messina Peloro earlier in the evening. Inter remain third, eleven points behind their Milan rivals, after drawing 1-1 at fourth-placed Udinese Calcio.