Louis van Gaal has revealed that Michael Carrick will miss the rest of the season ahead of his side's match against Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend.
The Manchester United manager did confirm that Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans are both available though, while Marcos Rojo and James Wilson could both feature on the bench.
The Dutchman also spoke about the signing of PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay.
Read what else was discussed below.
Good afternoon! Louis van Gaal will be speaking to the media shortly as he prepares his side for a trip to Selhurst Park in the Premier League this weekend. He will be hoping that his side can avoid a fourth straight loss in the league.
There's already been some pretty big news for Manchester United in the last 24 hours, with the club confirming that they have agreed a deal to bring Memphis Depay to Old Trafford next season. The manager will surely be speaking about his latest acquisition this lunchtime.
United have been struggling with a string of injuries in recent weeks, with Michael Carrick and Jonny Evans among those to miss out against West Brom last week. Van Gaal should be providing a fitness update when he talks to the media shortly.
INJURY UPDATE! In fact, Van Gaal has already been speaking with the club's TV channel ahead of his press conference, and has confirmed that Michael Carrick will miss the rest of the season. That's a big blow for the team.
After this match, United will face two sides at opposite ends of the table in their final two outings this year. They host Arsenal next weekend, before facing a Hull City side that are fighting to stay in the league on the final day of the campaign.
In his interview for MUTV, Van Gaal also confirms that Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans will both be available this weekend. Evans has had an interesting run, playing once since serving a six-match ban for spitting at Papiss Cisse, only to pick up a leg injury in that first game back.
Don't forget, we'll have live coverage from this match, as well as every other Premier League match taking place this weekend, from an hour before kickoff, as well as team news, post-match reaction, analysis and much more, so make sure you're with us against tomorrow to see if United can end their losing streak.
Right then, the manager is ready to speak to the reporters at the club's Carrington training ground, so let's see what he has to say this week...
Speaking about Depay's arrival at the club, Van Gaal admits: "I was forced to handle [the transfer] as a manager because otherwise he was going to PSG, that's why I had to sign him and we've done it within one day. For us, it's better to focus on the game against Palace."
Speaking more generally about making signings, Van Gaal adds: "When there's a chance, you have to handle that and manage it directly and that was the case. I want to purchase players after our season and not during the season because it disturbs our concentration for the match."
On Michael Carrick's injury, Van Gaal says: "Carrick's not available. It was more heavy that we thought. We tried everything but now we have to think about next season. He shall not play anymore this season. It's better now to focus him on next season and being fit to start."
However, on Shaw and Evans, Van Gaal insists: "Evans and Shaw can play football, or the game. Evans doesn't have the match rhythm because he was suspended for six weeks, and after that he was injured."
Van Gaal hints that he may be looking for Carrick's long-term replacement during the summer: "Our selection is not balance, and I want to restore that in the next transfer period. The life is not ending at 34, but for a professional football player it's close by. That's why I have to handle again in that position."
In further injury news, James Wilson could be included on the bench after overcoming an illness, while Marcos Rojo could also feature among the substitutes following a spell out with an injury.
On the race for the top four, Van Gaal admits: "The Champions League is a prize in itself. A club like Manchester United must play at the highest podium. I am not very concerned [by recent form] but we must start finishing our chances."
Attention turns to this weekend's match, and the manager says: "I think we need a little bit of luck and also composure. That I cannot provide, the players have to do that by themselves. We have the pressure, Liverpool have to play these matches and have to win them also, but we have to focus on our match."
Van Gaal admits that he is expecting a defensive Palace: "They're at home, but I still expect that they'll defend more than attack. They have speed, dribbling qualities and they can finish."
Well, that's it from Van Gaal this afternoon. So, make sure you join us again tomorrow afternoon to see if the club can avoid a fourth straight loss. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.
Written by
Sian Cowper
Sian Cowper
