• Premier League

Van Gaal: No one guaranteed a starting place

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists no players can expect to walk straight back into his side.

United have been hampered by injuries throughout an indifferent start to the campaign, particularly in defence, with the likes of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones sidelined.

New signings Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo also had spells out, while in midfield Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have been among those injured. In addition, captain Wayne Rooney is currently out through suspension.

These problems are now starting to ease - although Rooney still has another two games to serve - but Van Gaal claims no senior player can take a place for granted.

'Players coming round to my ways'

Louis van Gaal asked for three months before judgement © Getty Images

• Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United's players are finally starting to understand his philosophy and now have confidence in him.
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"Nobody is walking back in my team," he said. "You have to earn it on the training ground - every player knows that.

"I have great respect for the players I use at this moment and I have also the confidence in these players.

"When you mention Rooney, Carrick and Jones - of course they are great football players, but we have more great football players. Sometimes the other football players are doing better. It is not only the name.

"I have seen, for example, the youngest player, [Paddy] McNair, was outstanding in his first match. You have seen the reaction of the fans. Every time he touched the ball - applause.

"Of course Jones, Evans and Smalling were not available, but I am always thinking that youngsters can take the job over, especially one or two games."

Van Gaal revealed on Friday that Evans, McNair, Valencia and Jesse Lingard were the only players remaining his once-lengthy injury list, suggesting that Herrera, Smalling, Jones, Carrick and Young were back in training.

That means they could come into contention for Monday's trip to West Bromwich Albion, if they can prove match fitness.

Yet, while this would undoubtedly provide a further lift after victories in the previous two games against West Ham and Everton, Van Gaal is insistent that his side's erratic performances are not simply down to a lack of personnel.

He said: "I have said only that not always players of name are the best. I am looking for constant levels with individual players. The problem is to perform the philosophy together with 11 players on the pitch.

"When we are doing that on the training ground, together, the results shall come. I am convinced of that."

United have been questioned for not directing more of their £150 million summer outlay into defence, but Van Gaal insists his squad should be good enough. He accepts, however, that the disruption caused by having to make changes to his backline because of injuries has had an impact.

"I have mentioned that three central defenders were injured. Is that normal in a club? I don't think that is normal," the 63-year-old said. "Then Jones and Valencia were also injured, so more or less five defenders.

"But [if] we have to buy five central defenders then they don't have any option to play [when others recover]. You have to give options to the players to play, otherwise they are not involved. That is why I am working with 26 players, not 35 players."

One member of the rearguard who has been outstanding has been goalkeeper David de Gea. The Spaniard was particularly impressive as United held on to beat Everton 2-1 last time out.

Van Gaal even broke his own rule of not commenting on individual performances this week to praise the 23-year-old.

He said: "I never speak about individual players because you know that everything that you say once is black and white. When you do that about players, it is very dangerous.

"But, I have to say, the last match he was fantastic."

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