Captain Wayne Rooney is back in training for Manchester United ahead of their crunch tie against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Louis van Gaal’s injury worries are slowly becoming a thing of the past. With the likes of Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and Ashley Young returning from prolonged periods on the injury list, the Dutchman now has a big squad to choose from.
Ahead of the match against Tottenham Hotspur, the Manchester United manager was pleased with his options. Van Gaal said that he was training with 26 players and also gave a very positive update about captain and star striker Wayne Rooney.
“It is very important that our captain is coming back,” the manager said, according to the official club website.
“He only trained with us for two sessions and then you are not fit to play. That is the big difference. Everyone is thinking Wayne is fit again but it is not like that. He has to build up his capacity to play a match at the level of a Premier League match.”
Van Gaal also added that Belgian striker Adnan Januzaj was still out with a hamstring injury.
“Adnan was injured and he is still injured but he shall also come back, it is not such a heavy injury,” he said.
“He is not fit to play in the reserves or in the first team.”
The only niggling worry is left-back Luke Shaw, who is recovering from the broken leg he suffered against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League back in September. He is recovering well and still has a chance to play a part in Manchester United’s plans this season.
Marcos Rojo will play in left-back in his stead, alongside Chris Smalling, Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian in the defence with David de Gea in goal. Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin will man central midfield, behind Anthony Martial, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard. The impressive teenage Mancunian Marcus Rashford remains their best option up front as lone striker.
