Van Gaal: Continuity Will Aid My Team

Manchester United entertain Burnley on Wednesday night with Louis van Gaal admitting he is envious of his opposite number Sean Dyche's ability to name 10 unchanged line-ups in succession.

The Clarets will end that remarkable run at Old Trafford because midfielder Dean Marney has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury sustained in the 2-2 draw with West Brom. At the start of the campaign, the Reds were plagued by injury problems but things are looking brighter on that front with Michael Carrick the only first-team player currently on the treatment table.

After fielding an unchanged XI only once so far this term, for the festive trip to Tottenham after beating Newcastle United on Boxing Day, van Gaal is hoping continuity in his selection will enable his side to finish in the top four and go all the way to Wembley in the FA Cup.

"I have not been able to play with the same side as I have always had to look for a solution because of the injured players," said van Gaal at his pre-match press conference. "But now I can play more with the same team and do what we have in mind with these players.

"We are in the top four [prior to Tuesday's fixtures] and in the next round of the FA Cup. When you asked [about] that months ago, then I [would] have signed for that but it has to be like this at the end of the season."