Van Gaal delivers latest Man United injury update after cup win

Louis van Gaal moved to play down fears surrounding Robin van Persie’s fitness after Manchester United’s FA Cup replay win over Cambridge United on Tuesday night.

The Red Devils set up a fifth-round clash with Preston North End thanks to a comfortable 3-0 triumph at Old Trafford.

Van Persie was brought off in the 66th minute of the fourth-round replay, however Van Gaal revealed that the decision was made purely to give the striker a rest ahead of this weekend’s Premier League trip to West Ham United.

Van Gaal told his post-match news conference: “I said already [to Robin] at half-time, ‘I shall change after 60-70 minutes because I want you to play against West Ham United.’”

The Dutchman also felt that he made the right decision in resting a number of United’s key players for the fourth-round replay on Tuesday.

“It’s always difficult to play three matches in a week,” he continued.

“I have given rest to five players. I think that when we have won, after the match I can say it was a very good decision.

“I gave van Persie a rest during the match and also Angel Di Maria, and I gave Ashley Young minutes to play because he is back again.”

Van Gaal’s United side travel to Upton Park to take on West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. The Red Devils are currently third in the Premier League table after 23 games.