Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that Bastian Schweingsteiger is likely to miss Tuesday’s trip to Newcastle United, but Morgan Schneiderlin is expected to be fit.
Schweinsteiger picked up a knock late in Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup third-round win over Sheffield United, in which only an added-time penalty from Wayne Rooney spared the Red Devils a replay.
Van Gaal is unsure whether or not the German will have recovered in time to face the Magpies.
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“It shall be difficult of course,” Van Gaal is quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.
“I don’t know yet but I think he has a knee problem. Everyone thinks he has an ankle problem but I think it’s more the knee than the ankle. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Schneiderlin sat out the game at Old Trafford, although Van Gaal told the Manchester Evening News that the Frenchman, along with Michael Carrick and Ashley Young, were rested as a precaution.
He told the MEN: “Schneiderlin is not injured but he’s in the red zone and had an overload. In the Christmas period, he played every game and we have to take care of that. I don’t take risks.
“I trust these players also because Pereira is coming in and was a very good substitute, I think. With our injuries and players in the red zone, we have to take care of it. I think we have done it well.”
Schneiderlin and Carrick were likely given a day off with the visit to St James’ Park in mind. Ander Herrera is also an option but played against the Blades and is likely to be on the substitutes’ bench.
Van Gaal has rotated his midfielders freely this season. Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin has been the most popular partnership with 13 Premier League starts each. Carrick has 11 and Herrera nine.
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