Manchester United: Van Gaal Provides Key Injury Updates

Ahead of Sunday’s match, Louis van Gaal offered three Manchester United injury updates to the press.

Louis van Gaal gave Manchester United supporters a boost with positive injury news ahead of Sunday’s pivotal match against Tottenham Hotspurs.

Wayne Rooney, Phil Jones, and Ashley Young are all on track to return to full fitness in the near future. The winger and center-back should be available for the weekend’s match, while the striker will take a bit longer to return to the senior team.

Young and Jones featured for the under-21s in their draw against Chelsea on Monday at Old Trafford. Both played over 75 minutes, though Jones was unable to play the full match like Young. A return to the starting team is likely not on the cards for either, however.

Speaking to MUTV ahead of Friday’s press conference, Louis van Gaal commented on the availability of the two:

"“Yes, they are more or less fit players because you cannot be fit after one game at a lower level. We have a big squad now, we are training with 26 people and we have to adapt to that new situation again, but it is very promising now.”"

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Jones’s involvement will heavily depend on the health of Daley Blind, as the Dutchman limped off in the last match against Everton. If Blind were to miss the Spurs match, the 24-year-old Jones would have a decent chance of making the starting team.

Ashley Young has less of a chance of featuring, with Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Anthony Martial the more likely candidates to start at left defender and left wing, respectively. If Van Gaal opts to give Marcos Rojo another try, however, Young could potentially make an appearance from the bench if the Argentine’s struggles continue.

Rooney will miss the trip to White Hart Lane as his recovery’s next step will be a match with the reserves team. Asked about the captain’s progress, the manager said:

"“It is very important that our captain is coming back. 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.”"