Return dates for Valencia, Schweinsteiger revealed

Matt Stead

Louis van Gaal has provided injury updates on Antonio Valencia and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Valencia has been sidelined for Manchester United since October with a foot injury, while midfielder Schweinsteiger has not featured since January after suffering a knee problem.

United have struggled with injuries recently, but manager Van Gaal believes his list of eight sidelined players will be gradually reduced this month.

“Valencia is coming back and Schweinsteiger is coming back,” Van Gaal said before the Europa League round of 16 first-leg tie with Liverpool, who he described as not an ‘enemy’.

“I think a lot of players shall come back in month of March. When they come back it’s not so easy to decide if they can cope with the rhythm of the matches though.

“Bastian has had only one training session with us, Valencia has had a week – he is closer to being on the bench for example but not to play a match, that’s different.”