Newcastle vs. Manchester United: Key Takeaways from Louis Van Gaal's Presser

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal can claim a Premier League double over Newcastle when his side travels to St. James' Park on Wednesday, looking to build on their recent 2-0 win over Sunderland.

Speaking to MUTV ahead of the midweek matchup, the Red Devils chief was swift to address recent concerns regarding Angel Di Maria, per the official Manchester United website, after the record signing was hooked at half-time against Sunderland:

"

Every player can have that kind of match – Di Maria is not the only player who has suffered a bad day. He can be the best player in the world in the next match, so I think everything is going well. He trained very well and I don’t think there is any problem.

I have already explained that the higher rhythm of the Premier League is one of the most important aspects but he also has to adapt to a new culture, a new environment and that is not always easy.

"

The Argentina ace has started in each of United's last seven Premier League games, making three assists in his last three games, per Transfermarkt, but has failed to hit expectations.

Van Gaal also answered the media's doubts in his squad when asked whether he thought United's upcoming schedule looks difficult, retorting:

"

You said that before the games at the beginning of the season, when we were 13th – do you remember that? And in spite of all the games we had in front of us, we were third. It was 22 November after the game against Chelsea.

"

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

The Red Devils chief is fortunate to have almost no serious injuries among his squad for the trip to the north-east, with just one player definitely missing for Wednesday's fixture.

Van Gaal noted that Robin van Persie is the only absence but was unable to place any scale of time on how long the Netherlands international will be sidelined, per the club's official Twitter account:

The United boss added that Michael Carrick will continue his recovery this week, suggesting the midfielder is likely to start on the bench against Newcastle:

Van Persie's absence could see Wayne Rooney retain his spot up front after netting both the Red Devils' goals in their 2-0 victory over the Black Cats.

Van Gaal will look to claim a second north-east scalp in as many weeks against John Carver's side and spoke fondly of December's 3-1 win over the Magpies at Old Trafford:

The loss at Swansea City almost a fortnight ago has put United's top-four position in some jeopardy, with the club now a point off third-place Arsenal and just two points above Liverpool in fifth.

In a bid to seal back-to-back league wins for the first time since January, Van Gaal will be leaning on the likes of Di Maria and Rooney to continue disproving their critics and make a St. James' Park statement.