The England international will aim to make a full recovery and return to regular action for club and country.
A number of fellow players have suffered similarly bad injuries, and here is a look at six previous cases:
David Busst
The Coventry defender's career was ended in 1996 by a horrific double break as he sought to clear a corner under pressure from United duo Denis Irwin and Brian McClair at Old Trafford.
Eduardo
Arsenal's Brazilian-born Croatian international striker had his leg broken and ankle dislocated by a challenge from Blues defender Martin Taylor in a game at Birmingham in 2008
He returned to competitive action 51 weeks later.
Aaron Ramsey
Arsenal midfielder Ramsey's right leg was broken in two places by a tackle by Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross in a match at the Britannia Stadium in 2010
Ramsey returned to action nine months later and was loaned out to Nottingham Forest and Cardiff to gain match fitness.
Henrik Larsson
Larsson suffered a broken left leg as he pursued a loose ball alongside Lyon's Serge Blanc in a UEFA Cup clash in October 1999
The Celtic striker was back among the goals eight months later - and for several more years after that.
Alan Smith
The Manchester United midfielder broke his leg and dislocated his ankle when trying to block a Liverpool free-kick in an FA Cup tie at Anfield in 2006
He returned to action more than seven months later and is now at Notts County.
Djibril Cisse
Cisse's boot got caught in the Ewood Park turf as he challenged for the ball with Blackburn's Jay McEveley in a Premier League match in October 2004, causing a broken leg
The Liverpool striker was back in action in under six months.
Source : PA
Source: PA