Angel Di Maria will be fit to play against Chelsea on Sunday despite limping out of Manchester United’s last game, according to manager Louis van Gaal.
Di Maria has been the Dutchman’s star player so far this season and his fitness will be crucial as United head into a potentially season-defining month.
United play Old Trafford on Sunday and Van Gaal is looking to emulate Jose Mourinho’s remodelling of a Chelsea side who are five points clear at the top of the league.
“Chelsea are one of the top teams, as are Manchester City at the moment,” said the 63-year-old.
“Jose [Mourinho] has worked more than a year with his team and last year didn’t win anything.
“You have to build up. They are playing like a team and we have to as well, but to play for 90 minutes.”
Phil Jones returned to the United team against West Brom on Monday after a spell out due to a muscle injury.
And the England international believes that having Argentine winger Di Maria fit is a huge boost for the side.
“He [Di Maria] is up there with the best, he is a fantastic footballer,” Jones told MUTV.
“He is a quiet lad but he has got everything. He’s got the skill, the speed, the awareness, he can score goals.
“You could see it the other night, the balls he delivers are wicked and hard to defend against. He’s exactly what we need.”
United drew 0-0 with Chelsea in the early weeks of last season and given their recent struggles a point would be seen by many as a good result.
However the United centre back thinks United can beat a Chelsea side who are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League
“You can run through the Chelsea team. They’ve got good players but then so have we,” Jones said.
“I think we really need to show them what we’re about and how we can play. It’s important to really express ourselves and not be afraid of playing against Chelsea.
“They’re a good team but they’re not unbeatable.”
The game sees the second meeting of Van Gaal and Mourinho, who spent three years working as the Dutchman’s assistant at Barcelona in the 90s.
Mourinho won the pairs first meeting when his treble winning Inter Milan side beat Van Gaal’s Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final.
Both sides are struggling with injuries with Diego Costa likely to be the most notable absentee for Mourinho’s side.
Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera have failed to recover from injury in time to feature for United.
The game kicks off at 4pm on Sunday October 26.
Main image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube, with thanks.
