Ferdinand could be out for six weeks

Rio Ferdinand plunged England and Manchester United into an injury crisis after limping off against West Brom with a torn hamstring.

The Three Lions centre-back could be out for SIX WEEKS.

And that gives Fabio Capello a headache as it puts Ferdinand in doubt for the country's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales next month.

He could also be touch and go for the Group G crunch against Montenegro in early October.

The situation is even worse for United boss Alex Ferguson who saw his other centre-back Nemanja Vidic crocked in the hard-fought win against the Baggies.

Vidic faces a lengthy lay-off with a calf problem, while Rafael needs an operation on a dislocated shoulder after getting KO'd in training on Friday.

The Brazilian will be out for almost three months. But United boss Fergie insists his kids can handle the heat.

Ferguson said: "It's been a torrid few days because young Rafa will be out for 10 weeks with his shoulder.

"Rio will be six weeks and with Vidic we don't know yet.

Phil Jones

"If it's a nerve he could be out for a couple of weeks. But having young Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling is a Godsend. Patrice Evra is back next week so we've got options.

"The two most experienced players had to come off with injuries but Jones and Evans did terrific."

Ferdinand is likely to miss home league games against Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea, plus a trip to Bolton.

United have strength in depth and despite losing their two most experienced players, held off a strong West Brom performance before winning it through Stephen Reid's unfortunate 81st-minute own goal.

Ashley Young

The Red Devils started like a 100 metres sprinter with Wayne Rooney, Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young in particular causing problems.

Rooney gave them the lead after combining with Young and shooting through the legs of Gabriel Tamas into the far corner on 13 minutes.

But David de Gea's pathetic attempt to stop debutant Shane Long's weak strike saw the Baggies level before the break.

Young was involved in the winner, getting to the left byline before his cross hit Tamas and Reid and bobbled in.

Ferguson has been impressed with £20million capture Young, who signed from Aston Villa this summer.

But the United boss reckons the winger needs to go round the outside of defenders rather than cutting in.

Fergie added: "He has good composure on the ball and is a threat but he had a few crosses blocked.

"Getting to a byline is a dangerous thing, that's where the goal came from."

Meanwhile, Baggies boss Roy Hodgson has slammed Wigan for a laughable bid for Peter Odemwingie.

Hodgson said: "Odemwingie has an ankle injury and we are taking our time. Peter is not for sale and if you'd seen the size of the bid you'd have been laughing all the way out of here.

"I don't understand why a club bids something so ludicrously far away from what he is worth. But they can and I suppose I could bid for Wayne Rooney."

Hodgson added: "I saw a very good 1-1 turn into a not-so-good 2-1. But after the way United started, we did very well.