Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has suggested that three of his senior squad will miss the derby on Sunday with Chris Smalling also still a doubt as his illness drags on.
Robin van Persie, although now training with the first team again, isn’t yet ready for first team action, after over a month on the sidelines.
Luke Shaw and Andreas Pereira are both probably unavailable too. The Manchester United boss said:
“Most of the players are fit but fit for me is a different situation. I don’t think every player is fit,” said Van Gaal. “Perreira has been invited by Brazil team and I have given him position to go. RVP is not fit enough to play. I don’t think Luke Shaw is fit enough to play. But I cannot say they are not fit. In my opinion they are not fit to play.”
As for Pereira, he is fit but Van Gaal has granted him a leave of absence:
“Perreira has been invited by Brazil team and I have given him position to go.
Chris Smallin has been laid low with an illness over the last ten days and he is still a concern ahead of Manchester United’s huge tie against their neighbours and Premier League Champions on Sunday.
If Smalling doesn’t make the team Marcos Rojo will be expected to take his place. Since the Argentine returned from a dislocated shoulder he has been in excellent form and he might consider himself unlucky not to be picked anyway.
Apart from that Louis van Gaal has announced that the rest of the squad have a clean bill of health. Manchester United will be hoping to make it 6 wins on the trot with a victory over Manchester City on Sunday which would take them 4 points clear of their rivals.
We shall keep you up to date on the press conference as it continues.
Excellent Larrya A
Apr 10, 2015 at 6:18 pm
I pray Smalling makes the team as he’ll be missed greatly.
For the other players they’ll not be missed.