Van Gaal delivers latest Man United injury update ahead of Newcastle clash

Louis van Gaal has dropped a big hint that Bastian Schweinsteiger could start his first Manchester United game against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The United manager has used the Germany international sparingly so far this season after the midfielder moved to Old Trafford in a reported £15m deal from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich earlier this summer.

Maybe it shall happen tomorrow. You never know

Louis van Gaal

Schweinsteiger has been a second-half substitute in United’s victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Club Brugge so far in the 2015/16 campaign.

But Van Gaal appeared to suggest Schweinsteiger could make his first Premier League start against the Magpies in Saturday’s early kick-off.

“Yes, of course. It’s a matter of time. Maybe it shall happen tomorrow. You never know,” Van Gaal told his pre-match media conference on Friday.

“I think he can still do better because when you are not fit enough then it is difficult to show your highest level. But I think it’s also a matter of time and we have seen a solution in rotating our [second] captain, Michael Carrick, with Schweinsteiger.

“I think it’s a very good solution because we can spare them both for the big moments.”

Van Gaal has been forced to use Netherlands international Daley Blind in an unorthodox centre-half role alongside Chris Smalling in their opening three games of the season.

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And the Red Devils boss will stick with the same centre-half pairing against Newcastle after he confirmed Phil Jones is ill and Marcos Rojo is still lacking match fitness.

“Only Jones is ill, but it’s getting better with him. He’s already running on the pitch. It’s not bad. Rojo needs match fitness, yes,” Van Gaal added.