Manchester United vs. PSV: Louis Van Gaal's Key Comments from Pre-Match Presser
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal confirmed on Tuesday that Wayne Rooney is available for the Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, but he might not feature as he struggles for fitness.
He also spoke about Luke Shaw's rehabilitation after the full-back broke his leg in the corresponding fixture in the Netherlands.
Matt Lewis of the Daily Mirror reported Rooney was back in training for the Red Devils on Tuesday, but LvG said the game might have come too soon for the England captain as he regains fitness with Marouane Fellaini and Anthony Martial:
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"That is not automatic [Rooney's selection]. It is always a decision of the manager.
I compare, I compare always players with each other and I take into account how fit they are and how fit they show in the training sessions and that’s why Marouane Fellaini, Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney have to show it on the training ground.
Then I have to compare players with who are the best players to fit in with our game-plan. That is the same procedure with every match.
"
Rooney missed the 2-1 win at Watford, which saw United climb to second in the Premier League, after suffering from an illness, as confirmed by Sky Sports.
However, it appears the manager is unwilling to risk his star forward, if possible, but United's lack of options in the attack should see Rooney feature.
Van Gaal also confirmed he has given Shaw time off ahead of the PSV game at Old Trafford and a scan on Friday. Shaw was seriously injured when the club visited Eindhoven in the Champions League, and the manager said the loss of the defender was a blow to his plans, per Lewis:
"I think the first match was very disappointing, not only because of the result but because if the loss of Luke Shaw.
For us he is a very important player and I said in advance already he would be the revelation of the season and he was on his way to do that.
...
Shaw was fed up with the daily routine and I saw why he was fed up - maybe because it was PSV.
"
The coach confirmed Fellaini and Martial are both available for the tie, which would see United qualify for the knockout round if they defeat the Dutch champions, per UEFA.com. The Old Trafford side would pull four points clear of PSV with a victory with only one game to play.
Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera, Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia are unavailable for duty, missing the game through injury, according to Lewis. Bastian Schweinsteiger missed training on Tuesday but is in contention to feature, with LvG confirming the German will be in the squad.
United have performed wonders to be ahead of their main rivals in the Premier League, but Champions League qualification would bring a new confidence to the squad on Wednesday night.
PSV are a solid team who can hurt an opponent on the counter-attack, but if United's defence plays as well as they have in recent weeks, they will have enough in attack to take the points with Rooney and Martial available once again.
