BAYERN MUNICH captain Manuel Neuer is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

The 35-year-old keeper helped the German champions beat RB Leipzig 3-2 in the Bundesliga on Saturday, before then deciding he needed surgery.

According to Bild, it was not the result of anything that happened in the game – more a gradual build-up over time.

In recent weeks Neuer had been forced to take breaks from training and reduce his workload in order to remain fit.

And now he has finally decided to take between four and six weeks out to fix his knee problem.

The club released a statement which read: "Manuel Neuer underwent successful surgery on his right knee on Sunday.

"FC Bayern will therefore have to do without their captain in the coming weeks.”

And Neuer released a statement of his own on social media alongside a picture of him in hospital giving a thumbs up.

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The German keeper said: "Hey guys, I had a little surgery on my knee this afternoon.

"Everything went fine, so I'll be able to start rehabilitation training soon.

"Keep your fingers crossed that I'll be back on the pitch in a couple of weeks.

"Greetings from the hospital, Manuel."

Neuer will miss the first leg of Bayern's Champions League last 16 tie against RB Salzburg.

He is also expected to be absent for big league games against the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen.

Meanwhile, Bayern moved nine points clear of second place Borussia Dortmund following their win over Leipzig at the weekend.

Dortmund's title hopes were left in tatters after they were thrashed 5-2 at home by Leverkusen.

Bayern are gunning for a record-equalling 10th Bundesliga title in a row.

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