Man Utd Team News: van Gaal Confirms Double Injury Boost + Schweinsteiger Update

Louis van Gaal has offered a team news and injury update to ManUtd.com ahead of Manchester United’s fourth round FA Cup clash with Derby on Friday night.

The Dutchman was pleased to confirm that Matteo Darmian’s injury isn’t serious after the Italian was forced off during the second half of last weekend’s defeat to Southampton.

Darmian was replaced by Paddy McNair just after the break after he collided with Shane Long and was sent to hospital for tests, but van Gaal has revealed the full-back’s injury is not serious – although it will be enough to keep him out of tomorrow’s game with Derby.

In a double boost, the United boss also confirmed that Michael Carrick is ready to make his comeback after recovering from an injury that’s kept him on the sidelines since the Sheffield United game three weeks ago, but the 34-year-old isn’t fit enough to complete the full ninety minutes just yet.

However, it wasn’t all positive news as van Gaal was far more cautious when speaking about when Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones will be ready to make their comebacks.

Schweinsteiger has missed the last three games due to a knee injury while Jones has been out for almost a month with a foot problem he suffered against Swansea on January 2nd, and van Gaal was reluctant to commit to when the duo will be available again.

Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to the IPro Stadium, van Gaal told the United website:

“It’s more or less the same. Darmian is now out and maybe Michael Carrick shall come in but of course he’s not able to play 90 minutes. But it’s very good he is coming back. With Darmian, it is very positive actually. It’s not too severe but he’s not able to play against Derby.”

“I cannot say if they [Schweinsteiger and Jones] are close because every time I make a remark about injuries it is always difficult because injuries have developments and you have to wait and see.”

“Also they have to train and be adapted to the rhythm of the Premier League which is high. When you are more weeks injured it takes more time to adapt to that rhythm.”

It will come as a huge relief that Darmian’s injury is not severe as United are already without several full-backs with Ashley Young joining Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia on the sidelines.

With Schweinsteiger also struggling for fitness, it’s a big boost for van Gaal to be able to call upon Carrick in the middle of the park, even if the midfielder isn’t capable of playing the full ninety minutes just yet.