You can speculate over Danny Welbeck’s potential move away from Manchester United all you like says manager Louis van Gaal, of greater concern is the team’s already depleted midfield.
Media reports on Friday suggested the 23-year-old was heading for the Old Trafford exit door, with captain Wayne Rooney and fit again Robin van Persie set for the starting line-up against Sunderland on Sunday.
Van Gaal said he had been amazed by the turnaround from optimism to negativity following United’s opening Premier League defeat on the back of a superb pre-season and so was in little mood to talk about gossip.
“I know what I have said to Danny and Danny knows exactly what I said to him,” said Van Gaal.
“I won’t speak about it. That is private. I assume Danny is not saying anything about our conversation.
“Ryan Giggs was also involved in the conversation and he hasn’t said anything either, and I think that’s the way it should be. I am happy with it this way.”
Van Gaal instead revealed the club are already suffering a mild injury crisis, with United in search of their first points of the season as they seek to keep pace with the title contenders.
“Last week, we had nine injuries and now we have seven. It’s much too much. I have had this as a manager for the first time.
“We have to live with this. We have four injured midfielders – Carrick, from the beginning, but now also Herrera, Fellaini and Lingard. So these four are injured and we are thin on midfielders now.”
The one bit of good news was the return of marksman Van Persie, who Van Gaal worked with at this summer’s World Cup as the Netherlands finished third.
“Robin is ready to play, so that is a big benefit for our team.”
Meanwhile new signing Marcos Rojo is unavailable.
“Rojo is fit and ready to play but he doesn’t have a work permit so we have to wait.”
Main image courtesy of BT Sport via YouTube, with thanks.
