The 21-year-old French centre-back appeared to hyperextend his right knee as he landed following an aerial challenge with Marouane Fellaini near the halfway line in the 55th minute and collapsed to the ground in agony.

After receiving treatment from Chelsea's medical staff, he was stretchered off to applause from around the ground four minutes later, with Gary Cahill coming on.

Asked if Zouma might miss the rest of the season, Hiddink replied: "The rest of the season is hopefully too much, but tomorrow (Monday) he will have an examination, so not too many speculations about that.

"But if you've seen the images and the experience of a hyperextension of the knee joint, then we'll wait to hear. It's very bad when you land with a hyperextended knee, a hyperextended leg.

"We'll see what happens tomorrow. Let's touch wood and hopefully they have a good explanation tomorrow.

"There are several scenarios when it's like that, then it's very bad, but let's wait. Tomorrow when we know, we'll give notice as soon as possible."

Jesse Lingard put United ahead two minutes after Zouma's departure, but Diego Costa equalised in the first of six minutes of stoppage time added on for the Frenchman's injury.

A £12 million ($17.4 million, 15.6 million euros) signing from Saint-Etienne in January 2014, Zouma has dislodged Cahill from Chelsea's starting XI this season, starting 21 of the club's 25 Premier League games.

His injury will also be a source of anxiety for France coach Didier Deschamps ahead of the 2016 European Championship, with Zouma having won his first two international caps last year.