Manchester United's injury crisis worsens as further pressure mounts on Louis van Gaal

Man United boss Louis van Gaal looks set to be without six defenders for the Bournemouth clash

UNDER-FIRE Louis Van Gaal’s hopes of easing the mounting pressure he is under at Manchester United have been hit by a worsening injury crisis.

United’s embarrassing Champions League exit has been compounded by injuries to Chris Smalling (groin) and Matteo Darmian (hamstring) which mean Van Gaal is likely to be without six defenders for Saturday’s visit to Bournemouth.

Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia are long-term casualties, Marcos Rojo will not play before the New Year after surgery on a dislocated shoulder while Phil Jones is also out.

Van Gaal will be forced to play three youngsters, Paddy McNair, Guillermo Varela and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson alongside Daley Blind in the back four at the weekend.

 

 

On top of that Wayne Rooney, Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera all missed the defeat in Wolfsburg and Bastian Schweinsteiger could be banned for three matches today if he is found guilty of violent conduct by the FA.

Van Gaal is feeling the heat from furious United followers after the club dropped into the Europa League but it has emerged his players were hot under the collar even before Tuesday’s game in Wolfsburg had started.

They complained to match officials that their dressing room at the Volkswagon Arena was too hot and asked if the temperature could be turned down as they prepared for the vital final group game.

 

Van Gaal's position is understood to be not under immediate threat but he will need to mount a sustained Premier League title bid and FA Cup run to keep his job in the summer when Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola could be in the frame to take over.

He is looking to strengthen his injury-hit squad in January when a defender, midfielder, winger and striker will all be targeted.

United’s wish-list includes Leicester pair Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Southampton’s Saido Mane but their clubs will not want to sell mid-season. Wolfsburg's Julian Draxler is also likely to be on United's radar after his dazzling show on Tuesday.

Marouane Fellaini admitted playing in the Europa League will impact on United’s domestic title hopes: "When you play Thursday it is closer to the weekend, so it will be tough. It's always difficult.”

Chris Smalling suffered a hamstring injury in the 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg