Manchester United without nine players for QPR clash

LVG has a major injury headache (©GettyImages).

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has confirmed he will be without no less than nine first team players for the game against QPR on Sunday.

The Red Devils have struggled badly with injuries this term, but have been boosted by the late arrivals of Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao on deadline day. 

Debuts

Both players will be handed their Manchester United debuts at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are also expected to make their firs appearance for their new club this weekend.

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However that's where the good new ends for Manchester United; they will be missing almost an entire first team for the game against Harry Redknapp's side. The international break hasn't been kind to Van Gaal, who confirmed that Phil Jones will be out for a month with a hamstring injury picked up while away with England.

Sidelines

He joins Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini on the sidelines - both midfielders are close to returning but not quite ready as yet. Chris Smalling is also out, and although he is expected to train tomorrow he won't be match fit to take on QPR. Ashley Young is also carrying a knock, while youngsters Sam Johnstone, James Wilson, Reece James and Jesse Lingard will miss out.

While Shaw will likely make his Manchester United debut, Van Gaal confirmed that he is unlikely to start having spent a month on the sidelines.

Break

"When I left for the international break it was 10 [players injured] so only one is back – Shaw," he said.

"Shaw is fit enough to play but not the whole game – there is a difference."

There was some good news for Manchester United fans, with Ander Herrera and Rafael back in contention for a start as Van Gaal looks to claim his first competitive victory as Red Devils boss.

The omens are good for the Dutchman; QPR boss Redknapp has never claimed even a point at Old Trafford in his 14 visits there across his career.