• Premier League

United players loving Van Gaal regime

Louis van Gaal's Manchester United players are enjoying the new regime he has instilled at Old Trafford, according to the club's former defender Rio Ferdinand.

Queens Park Rangers centre-back Ferdinand has revealed that his former team-mates are relishing the challenge of taking aboard Van Gaal's methods.

Rio Ferdinand has backed Ryan Giggs to make the step up from assistant manager © Getty Images

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"I speak to some of the lads a lot," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "They're all really upbeat about him and positive and really enjoy his training sessions and new ideas and his forthrightness."

Ferdinand also feels Van Gaal has a "superb professional" in Ryan Giggs beside him, with the Dutchman recently tipping his assistant manager to replace him when he eventually leaves United.

While Ferdinand backs Giggs' prospects of making the step up to manager, he has also sounded a note of caution by pointing to the example of their former United captain Roy Keane.

"You'd like to think so but nothing is a given in this game," Ferdinand said.

"Roy Keane was a great leader, a great captain and he's assistant manager now at Aston Villa. He had a few sticky roles in management and he'll be looking to come back and take over a club.

"So it doesn't always mean you're guaranteed immediate success. Ryan Giggs is doing it a real good way in that he's learning, he's played under Sir Alex [Ferguson] and David Moyes.

"And now, van Gaal. He's got a great track record and learning and honing his craft. I'm sure one day he'll get the opportunity and then he's got to execute."

Meanwhile, Marouane Fellaini has reportedly returned to United training ahead of Sunday's home clash with Everton.

The midfielder damaged ankle ligaments in training earlier this season and could now be involved at Old Trafford following the news that Ander Herrera is out with a fractured rib.

Van Gaal has received another injury boost with Phil Jones also back in training after three weeks out with a hamstring problem, according to the Daily Mirror.

United have struggled for centre-backs this season with Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans also succumbing to injuries.

Van Gaal was forced to use academy prospect Tyler Blackett in United's five opening games before he picked up a red card in the 5-3 defeat to Leicester, with fellow youngster Paddy McNair, 19, drafted in for the 2-1 win against West Ham.

Jones, if fit, could partner Marcos Rojo at centre-back against Everton with Luke Shaw continuing at left-back.

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