Manchester United Injury Report Ahead Of Southampton Clash – No Full Backs Left For Team Selection

Manchester United has been facing a lot of injury problems this season. A long list of players have been injured and the recurrences of injuries has been a huge problem too. Dutch manager Louis van Gaal has been trying to add more players to his squad in January in order to avoid any such problems and compete for trophies. Though Manchester United do not take part in the Champions League this season and are already eliminated from The Carling Cup, the injury list does not seem to get any shorter.

Rafael and Luke Shaw were both taken off at Yeovil on Sunday and have joined Ashley Young (hamstring) and Antonio Valencia (thigh) on the injury list. It is reported that the Brazilian defender is suspected to have suffered a fractured cheekbone, while left back Luke Shaw has suffered a new ankle problem. van Gaal had to subsitute both his full backs at half-time as Red Devils’ back line had to be altered once again in the injury plagued season so far.

“It was fantastic Rafael had the guts to play through, as did Shaw. I don’t know how Rafael got his injury. I cannot say, I will have to watch the video. Also with Shaw. But it was a very physical game.” was the Dutch managers statement about the injuries to his players. United ended up winning that game with a 2-0 scoreline with goals  by Herrera and Angel Di Maria, who was making a comeback from an injury.

United who have an important game against Southampton on Sunday have a major selection problem and van Gaal is well aware of it. Both the first choice and second choice fullbacks are currently injured and van Gaal has the job of selecting the most adaptable lineup and formation, which could handle the attacking threat of the high flying Saints.

Also the Dutchman was unhappy with United’s performance and suggested his team lacked patience. Applauding the performance that Yeovil Town put up and their fighting spirit to make it a good game, van Gaal also pointed out at the fact that United have not won the FA Cup for 10 years now. The manager also gave a strong signal of intent that he wishes to win it with the Red Devils this year if things work out according to plan.