Manchester United vs Everton: Team News

Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal spoke to the media ahead of the Everton match.

Manchester United are nearing a return to full strength, with the manager indicating that several injured stars are closing in on full recovery.

Wayne Rooney is the most notable Red Devil slated to return in the coming weeks. The skipper has missed over a month of action with a knee injury, last featuring in United’s 2-1 defeat against Sunderland in February.

Earlier reports suggested Rooney would make his return to training in the coming week, with Van Gaal’s presser confirming such. Speaking to MUTV, the manager said:

"“He’s [Rooney] doing great. He trained today at a lower level with the ball and will probably play an Under-21s match before he comes back.”"

The Dutchman will be wary of rushing the 30-year-old back into the team despite his leadership abilities. Marcus Rashford has responded well in Rooney’s absence, giving the manager some extra time before inserting his captain back into the team.

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Several other sidelined Red Devils should rejoin the team in the near future as well. Van Gaal continued his injury updates with more positive news:

"“Luke Shaw is back on the training pitch on Monday with the physio. Ander Herrera and Ashley Young are coming back. Young and Adnan Januzaj played with the Reserves in a match on the Friday of the international break.”"

Shaw’s progression is encouraging, though it’s questionable as to whether he’ll make it back before the end of the season. It’s also been a while since Ashley Young’s name has come up, but he and Ander Herrera will make their way back into the team soon.

It will be interesting to see where the winger fits into the current team. Previously, he had been utilized as a defender on both flanks and as a left-winger, but that was before the emergence of Anthony Martial as a winger and Guillermo Varela on the right side of the back four. Young may be forced to watch matches from the bench as a substitute.

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Herrera, however, could immediately come back in the holding midfield, as none of the other options have done much to cement their positions. Additionally, the boss confirmed Bastian Schweinsteiger would be out for an extended period:

"“Schweinsteiger was injured already before the matches. I think on the second day of training. That’s a big blow for us and also for the national team. It is a tragic injury because the expectation is not so good for him in respect of of the European Championships, but you never know. I hope that he can reach that, but it shall be difficult.”“You can never say anything about that [missing the rest of the season] because he’s started his rehabilitation. You have to wait and see. He has more or less the same injury as Wayne. We have to see how it heals.”"

If the injury is similar to Rooney’s, that suggests the German would be out for at least a month, likely closer to two months. That effectively ends his season for Manchester United and puts doubt on his availability for the Euros. The Red Devils have sorely missed their midfield general’s presence, as Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, and Morgan Schneiderlin have all failed to impress.

Next: United Predicted XI vs Everton

Aside from the Schweinsteiger injury, Manchester United supporters will be ecstatic at the positive news. Left-back has been a problem spot in the squad, and Ashley Young could increase the level of play. Ander Herrera is a valuable option either from the bench or in the starting team, and Wayne Rooney can give Marcus Rashford a much needed rest.

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