Scholes had to be substituted after 16 minutes against United's Danish opponents, and the midfielder may now face six to eight weeks out of action.

Although the team managed well without him, winning 3-0 in their Group E match, the loss of Scholes potentially until late November will be a significant blow to United.

The former England international was replaced following a challenge with Thomas Augustinussen.

Ryan Giggs came on as his replacement, and laid on the first goal for Wayne Rooney.

Speaking after the match, Ferguson revealed Scholes may face a lengthy lay-off, denying him the services of the 33-year-old whose experience is valued in the United midfield.

"He has suffered ligament damage," said Ferguson.

"At this moment in time it's difficult to say exactly how serious (it is), but it looks like the medial ligament, in which case it will be six to eight weeks which is a bit of a blow."

Ferguson also faces an anxious wait to see the extent of an ankle injury which forced Wayne Rooney out of the game after an hour.

"We are hoping it isn't ligament trouble," said the United boss.

"He just felt his ankle. I would imagine he would be doubtful for the Blackburn game on Saturday."

That means Rooney, who opened the scoring with a well-taken first-half effort, must have a major question mark over his availability for England's World Cup double-header against Kazakhstan and Belarus next month.

However, Ferguson was obviously delighted at Dimitar Berbatov's second-half double.

After three games without a goal, the £30.75million record buy was under some pressure. But two expertly-finished efforts have ensured any talk about the wisdom of his arrival at Old Trafford have been well and truly silenced.

"Those goals will give him great confidence," said Ferguson.

"As a striker you always want to get a goal early after you have been transferred for that amount of money.

"He missed a good chance in the first half and he was maybe a bit frustrated by that. But he took his goals well, particularly the second. It was a real striker's finish and he will be happy with that."

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, while not getting onto the scoresheet, completed his second game in four days and is now approaching full fitness.

Ferguson appears to have played it just right with the 23-year-old, who, after all the speculation linking him with Real Madrid, is now content with life at United.

"I feel very comfortable now," he said.

"I played my first game two weeks ago and all the fans appreciated me.

"I feel very good within the club and very happy. I want to carry on like that."

Aalborg coach Bruce Rioch accepted Aalborg's chances of reaching the UEFA Cup - their only realistic target from Group E - would not be determined by their meetings with United.

"Let's face it, they are looking to take six points off us," he said.

"Manchester United are one of the great teams in the world.

"It is a great joy just being able to play them."