Rojo and Paddy McNair have not recovered from the "minor" injuries that kept them out of the League Cup win over Ipswich, and- along with long-term absentee Luke Shaw- that has left the boss short of options at left-back as Tyler Blackett is on loan at Celtic.
While winger Ashley Young filled in admirably there against the Tractor Boys- and may be forced to do so again on Saturday- the boss admitted that Rojo's hamstring injury has created a "difficult problem" for him.
Dick Advocaat's side make the trip to Old Trafford rock-bottom of the league and with two points from their first six games but Van Gaal warned against complacency against his friend and compatriot.
"I sympathise with him- I hope Sunderland win every game- apart from against us but I know that for us it shall not be so easy as they compete well, have good defensive organisation and have players who can hurt us so course I want to win but the pressure is always on us in these sort of games."
LVG's fellow Dutchman masterminded another great escape with Sunderland last term and even at this early stage it's looking like he might need something special to get them out of trouble this time around with their only win so far this season coming in a 6-3 League Cup success over Exeter.
Van Gaal added:
"Rojo is injured, you saw I changed every player (in the team) except a left-footed player, only Blind has now played all the minutes and I want a left-footed player in my centre-back position.
"Rojo and Shaw are injured so I have a difficult problem in my selection."
United have no new injury concerns and will be confident of continuing their dominance over Sunderland, whom have won just once in their last 26 visits to Old Trafford.
Form guide: United W L W L W W Sunderland D W D L L L
Match odds: United 1/4 Draw 57/10 Sunderland 14/1|
Referee: Mike Jones
No comments:
Post a Comment