Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal had revealed yesterday that the trio of Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Micheal Carrick could miss the FA Cup tie against Preston North End.
However, Van Gaal also added that he’ll have to wait and see if they can prove their fitness late on to participate in the game, “I don’t know [On Jones]. We have to wait and see. I don’t think it’s a heavy injury for Jones.
“With Blind, I say what the doctor has said a wea ll wait and see. I think he shall play on Monday a thata s my expectation, but you never know.” Last week, Van Gaal has revealed after the Burnley game that Phil Jones suffered a knock on his knee, “I think, for Jones, we have to wait and see,” he had told MUTV. “I think it shall be difficult as he was very disappointed when I spoke with him. Maybe it’s a knee problem so it’s not good.
On Micheal Carrick, Van Gaal said, “He has a fallback [setback], and thata s not unusual with injuries, so we will also have to wait and see,” he told MUTV.
Fullback Luke Shaw will be in contention for the game after missing the fixture against Burnley. Shaw was suspended after he picked up two yellow cards in the game against West Ham.
If Blind fails to make it, then Marouane Fellaini could start the game in the defensive midfield position. Chris Smalling, who came on for Jones in the Burnley game and scored twice, is likely to start alongside Jonny Evans in defense.
Van Gaal had said a few days ago that Van Persie too had a minor injury and went on to add that Wayne Rooney might play upfront if the Dutch striker cannot make it back in time, “Robin van Persie has also something so now I have given the players a day off and only the injured players have visited our training centre, but the doctor hasn’t called me yet [with updates] so I cannot say anything.
“It could be that I play him [Rooney] in a striker’s position in the next match,” he told MUTV. “It is always in our consideration.”
Van Gaal has gone with a diamond formation the last three Premier League games and could do the same with Di Maria playing behind Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao. Ander Herrera could return into the starting line up to occupy the midfield.