He was shaking his head as he walked off the pitch after initially wanting to stay on.
And it is understood that United believe he has suffered a strain rather than a muscle tear and could be out for weeks rather than months.
“David made a great save at the first half and it is wonderful have three great goalkeepers," Spain boss Robert Moreno said post-game.
"He suffers pain in his abductor muscle but he received treatment at the halftime and he wanted to keep playing.
David de Gea came off injured against Sweden last night (Image: GETTY)
“He gave us his word but at the end, he couldn't continue.”
De Gea is likely to miss the game against Liverpool, as well as next week’s Europa League tie away to Partizan Belgrade, the Premier League trip to Norwich and United’s EFL Cup tie away to Chelsea.
Sergio Romero, United’s No.2, will step in to replace De Gea, with third-choice Lee Grant making the step up to the bench as cover.
United have struggled this term and sit 12th in the Premier League after eight games.
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They have won just twice in the league all season and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under pressure.
Questions have been asked about his future and things will look bleak for the Norwegian should Liverpool recover a convincing win.
However it is understood he is under no immediate threat of losing his job but defeats to Liverpool and Norwich could change things.
Ed Woodward is already drawing up plans for more recruitment in January but he faces a tough decision on Solskjaer’s future should things not improve.
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