The 27-year-old missed out on the England squad for the World Cup 2014 qualifying double-header against Moldova and Ukraine earlier this month, and Ferguson now expects to be without the player until October.
Ferguson confirmed the problem at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool.
The United boss also said midfielder Darren Fletcher would play from the start in Wednesday night's Capital One Cup tie at home to Newcastle. The Scotland international came on as a substitute in the 1-0 Champions League win over Galatasaray in midweek, his first competitive outing since last November. The player has an inflammatory bowel condition.
Source: PA
Source: PA