Manchester United’s embattled manager Louis van Gaal spoke to MUTV before his press conference on Thursday to give an injury update on his squad.
We know that the quartet of Luke Shaw, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Marcos Rojo are out with only the latter likely to return any time soon.
Aside from this Matteo Darmian, who took a nasty blow last weekend, is recovering well but won’t make the FA Cup fourth round game at Derby on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, Phil Jones and Bastian Schweinsteiger are close to a return but, based on Louis’s comments, they may have to wait until next week to start. He told MUTV:
“I cannot say [if they are close] because every time I make a remark about injuries it is always difficult because injuries have developments and you have to wait and see,” the manager said. “Also they have to train and be adapted to the rhythm of the Premier League which is high. When you are more weeks injured it takes more time to adapt to that rhythm.”
Phil Jones: Doubt
But Louis did give a positive bit of news on the imperious Michael Carrick who he said is back in contention but won’t be able to play the whole 90.
Based on this information, and Manchester United’s need for composure, we would start Carrick and take him off after an hour.
The defence is obviously the most serious issue right now but Blind and Smalling are fit and we have always been big fans of Paddy McNair. He could turn out to be an even richer man’s John O’Shea – a utility player who never let’s you down.
With all this in mind, here is our eleven for a game which Manchester United must surely win. But how many times have we said this already this season? The clash will make for fascinating viewing and LvG wouldn’t necessarily be wanting to go to Derby in the cup with his job on the line.
Manchester United fans: let’s have your elevens.
