Manchester United are set for a midfield boost before their match against Crystal Palace as Ander Herrera returns from a groin injury.
Louis van Gaal has had a lot of injury problems to worry about this season, with as many as fourteen members of the squad being on the injury list at one point of time. However, the Manchester United manager now has a big squad to choose from.
Spaniard Ander Herrera returns to the mix after recovering from a groin injury he picked up back in March. Manchester United still have to deal with three long-term injuries though, as midfielders Adnan Januzaj and Bastian Schweinsteiger, along with left-back Luke Shaw, are expected not to return for the Red Devils this season.
“[We have] no injury problems, only the players who are injured already for a long time – Schweinsteiger, Shaw and Januzaj. I think Herrera shall come back,” said Van Gaal, according to the official club website.
The Dutchman also addressed the need to rotate the squad, considering that Manchester United play Everton on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final.
“You know that you have to play matches and you know also that some players have difficulties with the load of matches. You have to rotate because of that.
“In the Premier League I have to rotate much more than in another league, and that is also a consequence of the high rhythm of the Premier League.”
Herrera likely to start from the bench
The saviour of Old Trafford will still probably be David de Gea, starting in goal behind a back four consisting of Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind and Tim Fosu-Mensah. Van Gaal prefers starting Belgian Marouane Fellaini in central midfield despite his questionable performances, and will probably pair him with Morgan Schneiderlin in the midfield pivot.
Ander Herrera will most likely be called upon from the bench. There’s no room in the starting XI for the returning Spaniard as Van Gaal will probably persist with a combination of Marcus Rashford as lone striker, ahead of the trio of Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and academy graduate Jesse Lingard starting from the right flank.
