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

Man Utd will be looking to continue their push for the top four when they take on West Brom at the Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Louis van Gaal has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s given ManUtd.com a team news and injury update.

The Dutchman was pleased to confirm a triple injury boost with Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia all considered fit for selection, although van Gaal may not rush them back in to first team action just yet.

Fellaini has been on the sidelines since suffering a hamstring injury three weeks ago having aggravated the problem before United’s Europa League first leg clash with FC Midtjylland.

Jones has also been on the treatment table in recent weeks as the centre-back hasn’t played since being forced off during United’s Premier League victory over Swansea City at the start of January having suffered an ankle injury.

Valencia has been out for even longer as the Ecuadorian international has been on the sidelines since suffering a broken foot during United’s clash with Manchester City way back in late October and has been slowly working his way back to fitness following surgery.

However, they have all been back in full training recently and van Gaal has now declared the trio fit and available for selection ahead of Sunday’s trip to West Brom – although the Red Devils boss has suggested he’d prefer to ease them back in to action with the under-21’s if possible.

van Gaal will assess the fitness of the rest of his squad before making a final decision but the United supremo suggested that Fellaini, Jones and Valencia will only be selected if he’s forced in to it.

There was also an update on Bastian Schweinsteiger with the midfielder set to resume first team training next week following a knee injury while Ashley Young is also due back this month following a groin injury and youngster Will Keane underwent a successful groin injury.

van Gaal told the clubs website:

“Players are coming back but then, normally, they cannot play a match because the rhythm of the game is much higher. So, we have to train more and let them play in the second team. Maybe because I’m forced because of the circumstances to take a risk, like I have done with Marcos Rojo but, when I’m not forced to, then I shall not do that.

“A lot [of players] can do that [make Sunday’s squad] but it’s also what I have already told – I don’t want to take a risk. Valencia is coming back, Fellaini is coming back, Jones is coming back. A lot of players are coming back, and I have said that in former press conferences.”

“Will had a fantastic operation, like Ashley Young,” said the manager. “It was more or less the same operation. He is coming back on Tuesday and I’m hoping he comes back as quickly as Ashley because he’s also coming back in March. Schweinsteiger may train with the first team next week.”

United head in to the weekend action sitting level on points with fourth placed Manchester City following successive victories over Arsenal and Watford so van Gaal will be hoping to keep the pressure on with another win over the Baggies on Sunday.