The Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley will be out for a month after suffering ligament damage in his foot during Sunday's 5-0 win at Bolton.
United feared the 22-year-old had sustained a fracture in a tackle by Bolton captain Kevin Davies.
That could have left Cleverley facing several months out, but a scan has revealed only ligament damage.
Ferguson says the injury it was unfortunate but they "expected it, it was a bad tackle."
Davies was not cautioned for the incident but shortly afterwards picked up his 100th Premier League booking after a challenge on Patrice Evra.
The injury means Cleverley will miss England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro in October in addition to club matches.
He was not the only United player to sustain an injury at the Reebok Stadium and Ferguson said he would assess his squad before they travel to Portugal for their midweek Champions League tie against Benfica.
