FA Cup
Man Utd Team News: van Gaal Boosted As Quartet Return For FA Cup Final
Louis van Gaal has been handed a quadruple injury boost with four players set to return for Manchester United’s FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace.
Image credit: Daily Star
Manchester United will look to lift the FA Cup for the first time since 2004 when they take on Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday evening.
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 that defenders Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian are now back in contention after recovering from recent injury problems.
Right-back Darmian has missed the last three games after suffering an ankle injury during the 1-0 win over Norwich City earlier this month but the Italian international is now fit and available for selection.
Rojo on the other hand missed the midweek victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford having picked up a knock in training at the weekend but he too is now back in contention and should reclaim his place at left-back on Saturday.
van Gaal’s midfield options have been boosted as Marouane Fellaini returns from a three-match suspension while Morgan Schneiderlin was out on the training pitch today after missing the Bournemouth game due to illness.
With those four players now back in contention, van Gaal has admitted he’s got some tough selection decisions to make as he has to pick an 18-man squad to face Palace this weekend.
He told the clubs website:
“Yeah, there are many players in contention such as Rojo, who is not injured anymore, and Darmian is not injured anymore,”
“You have filmed the training session and have seen a lot of fit players, which makes it more difficult for me as I have to disappoint a lot of players.
“We have a squad of 27 players, so I have to disappoint nine players in advance. Of course the injured players are included in that nine, but I have to disappoint a lot of players. Then I have to select the team and disappoint more players. Some players are thinking that they could play.”
United head in to the FA Cup final having secured fifth spot in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday night but van Gaal will be desperate to eased the mounting pressure on his shoulder by winning a trophy this weekend.
