Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admits he has been forced into transfer market

ASHLEY YOUNG has given Louis van Gaal a major headache and looks set to force him into the transfer market this month.

 

Louis van Gaal find himself in a full-back crisis following Ashley Young's injury

 

Young will need an operation to repair the groin muscle he tore just before half-time of United’s win at Anfield on Sunday.

Although he is a winger, Young has been used as both a right and left back this season.

And he has become the fourth full-back with a long-term injury – Luke Shaw (broken leg), Antonio Valencia (ankle) and Marcos Rojo (dislocated shoulder).

 

Manager Louis van Gaal admits he will be forced into the transfer market this month to solve the problem.

“Young last week suffered a severe groin injury and has to have an operation so he will be out for a long time,” he said.

“It is not just a month or so but longer and we already have big problems in the full-back positions.

“We now have had four players injured in the full-back positions. The full-backs I have started with this season, sometimes they are all injured. Only Matteo Darmian is back fit now. So I need full-backs.

 

Young receiving treatment during the 1-0 win over Liverpool

 

“The difficulty is that we ask for a certain level [of player]. We are looking but it is not so easy and nobody can understand that.”

Van Gaal has blooded youngster Guilermo Varela and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson at right and left back this season but while delighted with their progress he says it is too much to ask them to carry the burden every week.

“I have used youngsters like Varela and Borthwick-Jackson and they are doing great but the level of Manchester United is high and it is difficult for youngster to produce that high level every week," he added.

Young is not United’s only injury absentee for the home clash with Southampton tomorrow. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Phil Jones and Michael Carrick all still out.