LVG Counts Costs Of United Injuries

Louis van Gaal insists Manchester United's pursuit of the Premier League title is back on but he is worried that December's injury crisis will cost them dearly in the end.

United have won three of their five league games since 2016 began, but they remain five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and 10 short of league leaders Leicester.

Van Gaal says the club have been buoyed by the recent returns of several first-team players from injury, including right-back Matteo Darmian and midfielder Michael Carrick.

And he can now admit in hindsight that his options were "below the level" they required, and results at the end of the calendar year 2015 suffered.

"In certain positions, our occupation was below level. But I never said that, because I don't want to hide behind the injuries," Van Gaal said.

"But when you have five or six players (out) for every position, you cannot hide anymore. You have to solve problems that you cannot solve, and we had that in December.

"You have to analyse the situation at the time. I cannot prevent contact injuries, and we were very unlucky with contact injuries. We don't have muscle injuries. That's unbelievable.

"When you don't have full-backs any more, it is very difficult because - in our system - they are always in attack. That's why we played Ashley Young as an attacking full-back.

"Now the players are coming back, and are fit again, so I can continue how we started the season. We were first, if you remember. The competition is not yet finished.

"But I am worried that period in December could ultimately cost us."

Credit: Skysports.com