Manchester United [ Images ] striker Michael Owen [ Images ] will be sidelined for six weeks with a thigh injury, the Premier League champions said on Monday.

The 31-year-old Owen, who is behind Wayne Rooney [ Images ] and Javier Hernandez [ Images ] in the United pecking order, sustained the injury in the opening minutes of this month's 2-0 home victory over Otelul Galati [ Images ] in the Champions League [ Images ].

"Michael has a thigh muscle injury and will be out for six weeks or so," a club spokesman said on the United website (www.manutd.com).

He will miss league games against the likes of Swansea City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa [ Images ] as well as the two remaining Champions League group games but could return to action during matches in the Christmas and New Year period.