• Premier League

Rooney fit but Di Maria out as United face Southampton

Wayne Rooney was hurt during Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Hull last Saturday © Getty Images

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Wayne Rooney is available to face Southampton after a scan on his knee confirmed the Manchester United captain has not suffered any damage.

Rooney, who is the third highest scorer in United's history, missed Tuesday's 2-1 win over Stoke after being hurt in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Hull.

However, he will be able to make his comeback as United visit St Mary's, and manager Louis van Gaal confirmed he will bring the forward into his team.

"He shall play," the Dutchman said in a news conference.

Angel Di Maria, who suffered a hamstring injury against Hull, will miss the match but Van Gaal hinted the £59.7 million record signing will be fit to face Liverpool next Sunday.

He added: "I think that it shall be quickly [that he returns] but not for Monday."

Jonny Evans, who has been out since September with an ankle injury, is now back in contention, but Phil Jones has not fully recovered from shin splints and is still absent.

"Evans is coming back, he is fit to play," Van Gaal said. "Jones is coming back but not fit to play. He needs training sessions and maybe also matches in the second team. But he is coming back. He is fit to train. That is also very good. We are seeing already light in the tunnel."

Southampton go into Monday's match ahead of United and Van Gaal, who claimed several of their players were offered to United, believes they can finish in the top four.

"I think they have a very good squad," he added. "A lot of players I know. A lot of players were offered to us and I think they are able to come in the first four but that is also because I believe in the management, in Ronald Koeman and his brother [Erwin].

"It is also a surprise that a club like Southampton is in that position but it is always a matter of coach, players and staff."

But Van Gaal said United deserve some of the sympathy Southampton are receiving after the St Mary's club lost five key players - Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers - in the summer.

United assistant manager Ryan Giggs retired as a player while Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were released. Patrice Evra, Danny Welbeck, Shinji Kagawa, Alexander Buttner and Bebe were all sold while Nani, Tom Cleverley, Nick Powell and Michael Keane were loaned out.

"Do you know how many players we lost?" Van Gaal asked. "Never you have said that. Never had I read that. We have lost more players." Van Gaal and Koeman are thought to have a feud dating back a decade since the time when both were at Ajax and the United manager once claimed his Southampton counterpart forced him out of the Amsterdam club.

But now Van Gaal said: "I don't have to describe my relationship with the trainer of the opponent. That is private."

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