Update On Van Persie And Di Maria

Robin van Persie has been forced to sit out Manchester United's Barclays Premier League match with Crystal Palace due to illness, while his team-mate Angel Di Maria has also missed out because of injury.

Van Persie started last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion after recovering from a troublesome ankle injury. The Dutchman could not retain his place, however, as he is affected by a virus that swept the dressing room at the Aon Training Complex this week.

Meanwhile, Di Maria, who has scored four goals in 31 appearances this season, suffered an injury in training on Wednesday that has ruled him out of action at Selhurst Park.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off, van Gaal was asked about the troublesome virus. "The manager has been a little bit touched, but also van Persie has been touched by it," the boss confirmed. "Wilson [had it] last week as well.

"But a lot of players have had problems, and also members of staff. It is not easy to make a line-up, but it is always the same in football. As a manager, you have to pick your line-up. You see and observe the training sessions, and then you decide."