Louis van Gaal has admitted that Luke Shaw will be a big loss to his team as Manchester United prepare to face Southampton in the Premier League this weekend.
The defender suffered a double leg fracture during the team's defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League earlier this week.
However, the manager did confirm that captain Wayne Rooney should be fit enough to start after missing out with a hamstring injury last week, while Phil Jones is back in training.
Read what else the manager discussed below.
Good afternoon! Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be speaking to the media shortly as he prepares his side for a trip to St Mary's to face Southampton.
Defender Luke Shaw would have been relishing a return to his old club earlier this week, but he's still in hospital in the Netherlands after suffering a double leg break during a Champions League outing. The England international is understood to have undergone a second operation today, and hopefully the manager will have an update.
The manager has already been speaking with the club's TV channel ahead of his press conference, confirming that Wayne Rooney, who missed last week's match against Liverpool with a hamstring injury, is fit for this fixture, while Phil Jones has also returned to training.
One player who will be hoping for a bigger role this weekend is Anthony Martial. The world's most expensive teenager came off the bench to score on his debut in the win over Liverpool. His transfer fee attracted some criticism following his deadline day move to Old Trafford, but he certainly made a bright start to his career at the club.
With the manager due to speak to the media any minute now, there's just time to let you know that we will have live coverage of this match from an hour before kickoff on Sunday, as well as all the team news, post-match reaction and loads more, so make sure you join us again on Sunday to see if United can make it back-to-back league wins.
Right then, the manager is ready to speak to the assembled media at Carrington, so let's see what's on his mind this week.
Naturally, Luke Shaw is the first topic of conversation this afternoon. The manager tells reporters: "I called Luke Shaw last night. He sounds very strong. That's amazing for me, a big surprise, a good signal. He knows it's also a long way he has to go. It's not easy, but his family are there. We will send people to him and when he can come back, we have everything prepared."
Asked when Shaw could return to Manchester, the manager adds: "Maybe he shall come back tomorrow, and then have a long period of rehab. So he still has a long way to go."
Van Gaal admits that Shaw will be missed: "For us it is a big loss, because I said in advance it shall be the season of Luke Shaw, and now it is nearly finished. We built up a left wing with Memphis and Luke and now we must build it up again, because we have to address that situation. It's not easy. We have to with with it, but it's a big loss."
Van Gaal is asked about Rooney's fitness following his absence last time out, and the manager replies: "He's had the training sessions. I think he can start."
Southampton haven't had the best start to the season, but Van Gaal insists that this weekend's opponents are still a good side: "They have a very good team, I don't think their current position is normal for them."
Much has been made of Van Gaal relationship with Southampton manager and fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman. It's been reported previously that they're not on the best of terms, but the Saints manager has said that he would share a glass of wine with Van Gaal. The United man is asked if he will join Koeman for a drink, but he simply replies: "Thank you for the invitation."
Back to the squad for this weekend's match, Van Gaal reveals: "Phil Jones has come back and trained with the group for the first time, he's not match fit but he's fit to train. At 19 years old, [Martial] isn't fully developed. I didn't say I don't count on him for certain games, I have to judge every week."
Well, that's all from Van Gaal this week, but join us again on Sunday to see if United can make it two straight wins in the Premier League. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.
Written by
Sian Cowper
Sian Cowper
