Man Utd Team News: LvG Confirms Quadruple Injury Blow While Blind Remains A Doubt

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Michael Carrick, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones will definitely miss this weekend’s clash with Everton while Daley Blind remains a doubt.

van Gaal has been speaking to the media at his press conference this afternoon ahead of Sunday’s trip to Goodison Park and he confirmed the bad news to ManUtd.com.

Carrick picked up a calf injury during the final stages of United’s 4-2 win over Manchester City two weeks ago and will now sit out once again having missed last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.

Defenders Jones and Rojo also picked up injuries during the win over City at Old Trafford and unfortunately van Gaal also confirmed that they too will miss this weekend’s trip to Merseyside having failed to recover from ankle and groin injuries respectively.

Daley Blind was the fourth player to suffer a knock against City after injuring his ankle following a heavy challenge from Vincent Kompany and although there’s a chance the Dutchman could return this weekend, van Gaal insists there is still a ‘question mark’ over his involvement.

There was yet more bad injury news with van Gaal confirming that Rafael has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken rib that he suffered while playing for the Under-21’s earlier this week.

However, the positive news for United is that Jonny Evans is available again having recovered from his six-game suspension for spitting while the injury that Adnan Januzaj picked up for the Under-21’s doesn’t appear to be too serious.

When asked if Carrick, Blind, Jones or Rojo might return on Sunday, van Gaal told the clubs website:

“Maybe only one, but there is still a question mark. For you, I shall say it is Daley Blind, but there is a question mark.”

“Rafael, it is unbelievable. He has broken his ribs so he shall not play anymore this season for Manchester United very unfortunately. Januzaj is not such a heavy injury.”

The fitness of Blind is going to be key for United as without him and Carrick, Wayne Rooney was forced to play in a deeper midfield position last weekend. If Blind is passed fit, then Rooney can return to his natural striker position where he is far more influential.

It will also be interesting to see if van Gaal gives Evans an immediate return to the first team after missing the last six games as Paddy McNair put in an excellent display at Stamford Bridge last weekend.