Daley Blind facing long spell out but Louis van Gaal says injury not as bad as first feared

Daley Blind facing long spell out but Louis van Gaal says injury not as bad as first feared

First manager of Manchester United that Louis van Gaal told Daley Blind knee injury is not as bad as feared.

Blind was injured in a victory for Holland on the Latvia 6-0 Sunday and reports suggested the Dutch could be absent up to six months, but van Gaal is optimistic, the midfielder will return much sooner.

Speaking at a prior press conference trip Saturday to Arsenal van Gaal said: "it has a brace on his knee, 10 days rest and he will have another scan and will tell more about the injury.

"It is not as bad as the doctors thought after the game, but it will be a long story, I think, but not six months or more. ''

After the match, Holland Manager Guus Hiddink gave a dark assessment of Blind injury said: "I am rather negative. '' I think it is a medial ligament which is twisted, it might be a break. »

The United boss also revealed that winger Angel Di Maria and goalkeeper David de Gea will be adapted for the Live clash at the Emirates, but England Defender Luke Shaw is a doubt after suffering a hamstring strain.

Winger di Maria was transported to the hospital for x-rays after being caught at the foot by the former winger United Nani during the friendly match of the Portugal Argentina at Old Trafford while De Gea dislocated a finger while outside with the Spain.

Van Gaal said: "Di Maria formed today normally so I do not think that there is a question mark, Gea is good - no problem. Luke Shaw, who felt a tight hamstring, is also a question mark. »

And Michael Carrick will face a fitness test late after it has undergone a groin problem while with the England team for the European qualifier against the Slovenia.

"I have to wait for how it reacts and drives tomorrow (Friday), but I expect that it is also ready to play," said van Gaal.

Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans, Rafael and Radamel Falcao have all missed the 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace two weeks ago, and it looks like they are going to miss the game Saturday against the Gunners too.

When asked that if any player who missed the match of Palace was available for this weekend, Van Gaal has seemed to suggest that it is highly unlikely.

"It is difficult to tell if someone is back because we have to wait for tomorrow's training session to decide whether the players are back," he said.

"But players do not come back in the team - that is something else. My philosophy is that we need at least a week has been training with the team, but better two."

Loan striker Falcao downplayed fears that his current problem of injury is related to surgery of the knee he suffered last season. and he could return to training Sunday according to van Gaal.

"It's a little frustrating. "I took a small injury in my calf, which is something that I need to be careful with," he said.

"I'm getting better, I feel good and I hope to return soon to the height.

"It is disappointing that I can not play, but I have to be calm and recover because it is important to help the team when I return to the games.

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