After a morale-boosting 3-2 win against Arsenal, Manchester United look to continue their good run of form when they host Watford at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Louis van Gaal has been without the services of several key first-team players at various times throughout the duration of this season due to injuries, but with the news of the return of Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian and Anthony Martial, the Dutchman will soon have more options to choose from.
Chris Smalling, who has been out of action after picking up an injury following a collision with an advertising board in the FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town, might also return to action against Watford.
Addressing the media ahead of the game, Louis van Gaal said (via manutd.com), “Martial can play and also Darmian can play. Maybe Chris Smalling can play. We have to wait and see for tomorrow.”
Manchester United have fielded 33 players in first-team games this season — more than any other Premier League club
This has arguably been more due to the number of injuries in the first-team than a plethora of talent in the Manchester United squad.
In the absence of Anthony Martial, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Red Devils found a new goalscorer in Marcus Rashford. Rashford has netted four of the 11 goals Manchester United have scored in their last three matches in all competitions. It will come as no surprise if Louis van Gaal picks the South Manchester boy ahead of Martial in the starting XI to lead the club’s attack like he has done in the last two fixtures.
“Players are coming back in March, I think. We need players who are coming back because our programme is very full,” the Dutchman added.
Antonio Valencia and Marouane Fellaini are also back in training and will resume first-team duties soon, but Rooney remains on the sidelines with no concrete news yet on his return.
