Scholes is out for the season.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an eye problem.

Scholes, 30, has been suffering from double vision in his right eye since sustaining a blow to the head in the match at Birmingham on 28 December.

"Paul Scholes has a medical condition affecting the vision in his right eye," said a club statement.

"It is not a football related injury. A number of specialists have all agreed that he needs three months' rest."

Scholes signed a new four-year contract last summer but has not played since the draw at Birmingham on 28 December.

The last of his three goals this season came in the 3-0 win over West Brom two days before that.

The news could force manager Sir Alex Ferguson into the transfer market earlier than he intended.

Ferguson had already said he would be looking to find a replacement for Roy Keane in the summer, but the loss of their most senior midfielder will be a big blow to United.

With Alan Smith currently sidelined with an ankle injury, they had to resort to a makeshift partnership of Ryan Giggs and John O'Shea against Liverpool on Sunday.

And even the future of that combination could be in doubt after O'Shea had to come off at half-time with a rib injury required an X-ray.