van Gaal Offers Jonny Evans Injury Update

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is sweating on the fitness of Jonny Evans after the defender picked up an ankle injury during Sunday’s 5-3 defeat to Leicester City.

Evans was forced off midway through the first half after receiving a kick to his ankle with Chris Smalling coming on to replace him at centre-back during what turned out to be a disappointing afternoon for the former champions.

The Northern Irishman returned to the dugout for the second half wearing a protective boot on his right leg and walked away on crutches from the King Power Stadium after the game.

Boss Louis van Gaal spoke to ManUtd.com last night and confirmed they don’t know how bad the injury is just yet and will await the results of a scan on Monday to find out the true extent of the problem.

To compound United’s misery, van Gaal is set to be without the services of defender Tyler Blackett after his dismissal in the 83rd minute which led to Leicester’s fifth goal, and the Dutchman admitted he has few options at the back other than to bring Luke Shaw in at left-back and move Marcos Rojo in to the middle alongside Smalling.

He told the club’s website:

“I don’t know how bad Evans is. We have to wait for a scan tomorrow but he is on crutches.”

“I think that Shaw shall be fit enough to play, Rojo can play and Smalling can play, so we can manage. But it’s a thin choice.”

United welcome West Ham to Old Trafford next weekend before entertaining Everton the following Sunday so van Gaal will be hoping for some positive news on Evans from today’s scan.

If the centre-back is ruled out for any period of time, United are going to be extremely short of options at the back and that’s the last thing they need judging on yesterday’s inept defensive performance.