Manchester United vs PSV Eindhoven: Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney fit as Louis van Gaal gives Luke Shaw update

Marouane Fellaini is also available after injury but Phil Jones and Ander Herrera have been ruled out

Jack de Menezes
Tuesday 24 November 2015 16:57 GMT
Comments
Wayne Rooney speaks with Louis van Gaal during a Manchester United training session
Wayne Rooney speaks with Louis van Gaal during a Manchester United training session (Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial will be fit to return to Manchester United’s squad for their Champions League tie with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, with Louis van Gaal’s side is likely to secure them a place in the last-16.

United currently lead Group B by a point, and win over PSV at Old Trafford would take them out of the Dutch champions’ reach heading into the final round of group stage fixtures.

Should Wolfsburg defeat CSKA Moscow, United will have their place in the last-16 confirmed, and would need to beat the Russian side in their final match in December to clinch top spot in the group and go into the knockout stages as a seeded team.

United head into tomorrow’s encounter off the back of a morale-boosting victory over Watford, where a late Troy Deeney own-goal secured a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road. The result saw Louis van Gaal’s side leapfrog both Manchester United and Arsenal into second place in the Premier League, just one point off surprise leaders Leicester City.

Van Gaal had to deploy Memphis Depay in the win over the Hornets, with the recalled Netherlands forward finding the back of the net to open the scoring. But with Martial back from a foot injury and Rooney available after illness, Van Gaal has a decision to make in selecting who leads his attack.

While the strike-pair return, Michael Carrick has not recovered in time to feature, and he’s joined on the sidelines by Ander Herrera and Phil Jones who both picked up knocks in the match against Watford.

Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia remain on the sidelines for the long-term, and Van Gaal revealed that Shaw has been given four days off his recovery “because it is PSV” who travel to Old Trafford, with Shaw suffering his horrific broken leg in the return fixture in the Eindhoven in September.

"The first match was very disappointing because of the result and the loss of Luke Shaw,” said Van Gaal.

"Shaw was fed up with the daily routine and I saw why he was fed up - maybe because it was PSV,” added Van Gaal, who also confirmed that the left-back will have a scan on Friday to provide an up-to-date assessment on his injury.

Shaw suffered the injury in a tackle by PSV defender Hector Moreno, but Van Gaal admonished the Mexico international of any blame, adding: "It was not his purpose (to injure Shaw) but it's a big loss to us."

Anthony Martial is available for the visit of PSV Eindhoven (Getty Images)

Maroaune Fellaini has also recovered from a calf strain and is available for selection, although Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin are likely to remain in midfield despite the German missing training on Tuesday.

"He needed a recovery day but that doesn't mean he can't play [against PSV],” Van Gaal said of Schweinsteiger.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in