David Moyes confirmed Wayne Rooney has sustained an injury ahead of tonight's Capital One Cup quater-final against Stoke City.
The United boss was not definitive on a potential return date and concern for the England international is heightened with a host of important Premier League fixtures on the immediate horizon.
"Wayne Rooney is injured," Moyes confirmed ahead of Wedneday's game.
When asked if Rooney will be fit for the congested period, he answered: "We hope so."
For the trip to the Brittania Stadium, Anderson was handed his first start since September 28, while Chris Smalling and Ashley Young were also named in a side that featured three changes.
Stoke were bidding to reach the last four for the first time since they won the competition in 1972 and manager Mark Hughes made four changes to the team held at Hull on Saturday, with Thomas Sorensen, Erik Pieters, Jonathan Walters and Winston Palacios all included.
Stoke: Sorensen, Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters, Palacios, Whelan, Walters, Ireland, Assaidi, Crouch. Subs: Begovic, Muniesa, Pennant, Jones, Arnautovic, Adam, Wilkinson.
Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Cleverley, Jones, Anderson, Valencia, Welbeck, Young. Subs: Hernandez, Nani, Fletcher, Kagawa, Buttner, Zaha, Johnstone.
