LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira is a major doubt for Sunday's Premiership showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford as he struggles to recover from an ankle injury.
The Frenchman limped off against Aston Villa last weekend and has already been ruled out of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Panathinaikos in Greece.
"He had a scan on Monday and it was better than expected, but I still think he will be short for Sunday," said Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
"It is not definite but there is an 80% chance he will be out."
Brazilian international Edu is back in contention after World Cup duty but, if Vieira fails to recover in time, the 17-year-old Spaniard Cesc Fabregas could be asked to play his third game in eight days.
It is a decision Wenger will mull over this week.
"In the big games you always want Patrick in your squad, but when you go into a season you know there will be injuries," Wenger told the club's official website.
Meanwhile, Freddie Ljungberg is winning his race to be fit for Wednesday's game after sitting out Saturday's 3-1 win over Aston Villa with a hamstring problem.
"Freddie is OK and I think he'll be able to play," Wenger said.