Manchester United fear Tom Cleverley has a broken foot after a tackle from Bolton Wanderers captain Kevin Davies.
Cleverley left the Reebok Stadium with his foot in a protective cast after being caught in a tackle by Davies.
Even Cleverley fears the worst, which comes at a bad time given the 22-year-old has just broken into the England squad.
The injury cast a shadow over United's ruthless 5-0 triumph and left Ferguson biting his lip.
"We think it is a broken foot," said Ferguson.
"It is unfortunate but we expected it. It was a bad tackle."