The Premier League returns after two weeks of international break and Manchester United will host Queens Park Rangers in the next league fixture at Old Trafford on September 14.
Before the start of the last fixture against Burnley, the Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal admitted that he is without the services of 11 players, who were either sidelined with injury or ineligible to start for the 20-times English champions.
The fixture against QPR will see several of the first team players return to training from injury. In addition to this, summer signing Marcos Rojo is now allowed to play for United after he was granted a UK work permit earlier this month.
The Argentine international was signed from Sporting Lisbon and prior to his arrival, United had signed Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw. The two were on the sidelines due to injury and they joined Rafael da Silva, Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Sam Johnstone and Jesse Lingard on the treatment table.
Van Gaal will be handed a massive injury boost as several of the first team players have confirmed their return to training. Summer signing Herrera picked up an ankle injury and was out of action after Swansea tie. He has confirmed his return on Twitter on Monday.
Herrera tweeted, “Training hard and looking forward to this next game at Old Trafford!”
Training hard and looking forward to this next game at Old Trafford! pic.twitter.com/uQMwGK0kc6
— Ander Herrera (@AnderHerrera) September 8, 2014
Brazilian defender Rafael is yet to make his first appearances this season and the right-back has also admitted that he is back to full training.
Rafael confirmed his return to training on Instagram. He said, “5 years ago young skinny Rafael good memories. Back in training ready to help. Let’s goo.”
Shaw picked up a hamstring injury last month and missed United’s first four matches of this season. The Telegraph reports the England international has also returned to training and is on course to make his full debut for his new club against Harry Redknapp’s side at Old Trafford.
United struggled this season as injuries to key players saw Van Gaal wait for his first competitive win as the Red Devils’ manager. The Dutchman was hardly left with options while selecting his defenders, central midfielders and wing-backs in the earlier fixtures.
Despite having Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie as the front three, United failed to create many chances as they have scored two goals in the four matches played in all competitions.
The return of Herrera, Shaw and Rafael will give the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager more options during the team selection. In addition to this, the deadline day signings Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao could also make their United debut against QPR.
United also added Angel Di Maria to their squad during the summer transfer window. The Argentine made his debut during the Old Trafford outfit’s 0-0 draw against Burnley.
The former Real Madrid star, along with other four signings – except Falcao – could start for United against the Hoops. The Colombian international could come from the substitutes bench as he still lacks match fitness to play a full 90 minutes.
With the return of several players from injury and the availability of summer signings, United and Van Gaal would be hoping to pick three points against QPR in front of the home fans at Old Trafford on Sunday.
However, the major concern would be that of Phil Jones. The central defender went off the pitch with a hamstring injury in the final quarter of the game during England’s 2-0 victory over Switzerland.
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