Van Gaal reveals Jones is among six absentees

Matt Stead

Louis van Gaal has revealed he is dealing with six separate injuries at Manchester United currently.

United are fifth in the Premier League table, six points behind rivals Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification.

They face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in Saturday’s early kick off, but the manager will be without seven players for the clash.

Phil Jones, Guillermo Varela and Adnan Januzaj all picked up knocks for the under-21 side against Norwich in midweek.

“Jones, Varela and Januzaj were injured in the U21s. They’re not nasty injuries but they need time to recover,” Van Gaal said. “We have a lot of injuries and we have to cope with that. When you play a lot matches – and we play a lot in February and hopefully also in March – it’s more difficult.”

The Dutchman also offered an update on midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has been sidelined since injuring his knee against Sheffield United in the FA Cup in early January.

“I cannot say Bastian Schweinsteiger is returning in two weeks. I have given him a holiday,” said the manager.

On Marcos Rojo (shoulder) and Antonio Valencia (leg), Van Gaal added: “They’re coming back and I hope to have them as soon as possible.”