How it's done doesn't matter to be honest, impact injuries could damage surrounding cartilage or other parts of the knee but a rupture is a rupture.
For context, I did my first playing football, high pressing the defence just chasing the ball down, changed direction quickly and my body moved but left knee didnt. Pop. I was a good 5 yards away from anyone. Did my right playing five a side, setting myself to volley a ball until a defender got a slight touch which made me adjust my position quickly and leg just gave way completely. That was a 25% tear and radial tear of my lateral meniscus in two places. Zero impact whatsoever on both occasions.
Pro's have much more knee muscle to protect the ligaments which can help but it's a delicate ligament which doesn't heal. Even if it is a partial, he'd be far better taking the time to having it sorted properly and reconstructed rather that suture a small tear together and the ligament never retain it's original limited strength.
That's great insight, thank you.
I guess no time limit or expectation can be put on it. Let's get someone in January and when Mendy returns whenever that will be it will. E like a new signing, an amazing one at that.
At least he'll have company in the treatment room