Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed summer signing Marcos Rojo and Rafael da Silva will miss the Red Devils’ league clash against Crystal Palace.
The 13-times Premier League winners will host the Eagles at Old Trafford on Saturday. United suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend, where United defender Chris Smalling was given the marching orders in the first half.
The England international will be suspended, while his compatriot Phil Jones and centre-back Jonny Evans, along with Rafael are still recovering from injury. Rojo was stretched off the field at the Etihad and Van Gaal has confirmed the Argentine international has suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Louis van Gaal reveals @MarcosRojo5 dislocated his shoulder vs City but hopes to have the defender back within six weeks. #mufc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 7, 2014
“Marcos dislocated his shoulder but did it in a positive way. We don’t need to operate on him. It’s a relief but maybe, with this injury, it is very difficult to prevent it from happening again. That is the problem,” Van Gaal told in the pre-match press conference.
“He saw a specialist yesterday evening who said the conservative way to heal it is best. For him, it was positive. Always with these injuries, I cannot change that.”
“The human body has been made by God – not by me. Conservatively, it can be less than six weeks. If we have to operate, 12 weeks.”
“Smalling is suspended. Evans and Jones are still injured. So I have to solve a problem but I don’t want to say who is playing yet,” he added.
United have just 13 points after 10 matches and it is their worst start to the league campaign in 28 years. With several injuries, Van Gaal has to look upon academy graduates Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett, along with Michael Carrick to fill in the void left by the absence of several first choice centre-backs.
Despite the poor start and injuries, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager remains confident that United will bounce back later this season.
More on injuries: "It is like it is and I don't want to complain or cry because I have great belief in the players, myself and the fans."
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 7, 2014
“When I want to select the same line-up, I cannot. It’s the same every week. It is like it is and I don’t want to complain or cry because I have great belief in the players, myself and my staff. Also the supporters who are supporting us despite the results,” United manager said.
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