Manchester United are sweating on the fitness of Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia with both players in a race against time to be fit for the crucial Wolfsburg tie. Michael Carrick is one of the five players set to miss the game.
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Confirming the news that Carrick has been ruled out for the game, Van Gaal was quoted saying by ESPN FC: “I think that Michael Carrick shall not play tomorrow [Wednesday]. The other two, we have to wait and see.”
Van Gaal said that he might not risk Herrera and Valencia, citing the example of the precautionary measures he took by not playing Wayne Rooney when he had hamstring problems.
“They have minor injuries so I don’t want to take any risk like we have done with Wayne Rooney,” Van Gaal said. “We do the same with Michael Carrick or Ander Herrera because we have to play a full season and it is better to withdraw players for one match [rather] than they play and they get injured.”
Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are also out of the tie and complete the list of five players that did not take part in training ahead of the crucial home game against Wolfsburg for United.
The Manchester side have lost their opening clash in the competition and will want to take away all three points in their first home game despite leaving key players out as a precaution.