Van Gaal Reveals Team News At Anfield

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Antonio Valencia is likely to be on the bench for the Europa League tie at Liverpool on Thursday night.

The Ecuador international has been training with the rest of the squad, as has midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, with the boss mulling over his options ahead of a third meeting with the Merseysiders this term.

The Reds face a Round of 16 first-leg trip to Anfield in a bid to reach the quarter-finals of the competition, with the team desperate to bounce back from the disappointing Barclays Premier League defeat at West Brom on Sunday.

"Antonio Valencia and Bastian Schweinsteiger are coming back," he said. "I think a lot of players shall come back in the month of March. But when they come back, it is not so easy to decide if they can cope with the rhythm of a match because they are fit to train with us. For example, Schweinsteiger has only had one training session with us behind his back. Valencia has a week [behind him] so he is much closer to being on the bench, for example, but not to play a match as that's different.

"I don’t think [any new players will be available] but Valencia is fit enough to be on the bench, but to play 90 minutes, I don’t think so.

"I shall always make my line-up in my eyes as the strongest line-up to play against the opponent. Nevertheless, I put youngsters sometimes in the line-up but then I think it's the best solution. I also have to cope with the busy schedule so sometimes I spare and rotate players because of that."

Juan Mata is free to play as his domestic ban will be served in this weekend's FA Cup tie against West Ham United following his red card at The Hawthorns. Jesse Lingard is suspended, though, while Adnan Januzaj and Tim Fosu-Mensah are ineligible for the game.

Thursday's clash between Liverpool and United will be the first time the two clubs have met in Europe despite one of the richest rivalries in the history of football.

"It is always a big game traditionally and historically," added the boss. "Especially because both sides fight for the Champions League position so it's a big game for both sides."