United's Scholes out for a month

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed Paul Scholes is out for a month following the champions' 1-0 defeat against Southampton at St Mary's.

England international Scholes' hernia problem means the midfielder will definitely miss next month's Euro 2004 qualifier away to Macedonia. It was further revealed Brazil star Kleberson may have dislocated a shoulder

Scholes' United and England team-mate Rio Ferdinand is doubtful for the Macedonia game with a kidney complaint that has seen him miss the last two Premiership matches.

Following second-placed United's first league defeat since December 26, Ferguson said: "Scholes is out for a month. A specialist will look at him because he's had two hernias already.

"This is a third and may take longer to heal," Ferguson told United's television channel MUTV. "Ferdinand will see the doctor on Wednesday and so we don't know about him."

Kleberson was sent to hospital for a scan on his right arm with United concerned he may have dislocated his shoulder.

Ferguson added: "We think that might be the case and we don't know if he's done it before."

James Beattie's header two minutes from time gave Southampton their first win of the season after United's American keeper Tim Howard failed to deal with Graeme Le Saux's corner.

Ferguson said: "I think he may have got a push as the ball came over from the corner. He's obviously not happy about it but he's a big lad and he's somebody who can bounce back from mistakes."

But Ferguson also said: "There was nothing very inspirational out there. It was a hot day and we did not come up with very much."