7 Nov 2014 12:31:00
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed that Marcos Rojo is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks after disclocating his shoulder in the Manchester derby.The Argentina international was stretchered off following a challenge with compatriot Martin Demichelis at the Etihad Stadium, with the medical staff seeming to give the defender oxygen to help ease the pain.
And though Van Gaal confirmed that an operation will not be required to heal the injury, it is unlikely the former Sporting Lisbon man will be available until mid-December.
"Marcos dislocated his shoulder but did it in positive way. We don't need to operate on him, which is a relief, but maybe with this injury it is very difficult that it shall not happen again," he told reporters.
"That is the problem. Yesterday evening, he saw a specialist. For him, it was positive.
"Always with these injuries, I cannot change that. The human body has been made by God, not by me.
"Conservatively, it can be less than six weeks. If we have to operate, 12 weeks."
Rojo's issue has left the Red Devils short on defensive options, with Phil Jones and Jonny Evans still on the sidelines their own injuries while Chris Smalling is suspended following his red card against Manchester City.
That leave Van Gaal with youngsters Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett as his only fit central defenders, though Michael Carrick could also slot into the backline after playing there on Sunday.
And the former Netherlands boss was not willing to give away how he was going to solve the crisis against Crystal Palace as his team look to bring a three-match winless run to an end.
"Smalling is suspended, Evans and Jones are still injured, so I have to solve a problem.
"I don't want to say who is playing yet. If I say that then I give away what I'm trying to do. We've trained today but I may do things differently."
Van Gaal will also be without Radamel Falcao for the visit of Neil Warnock's side, with the Monaco loanee still recovering from a knock that ruled him out of the games against Chelsea and Manchester City.
And the veteran coach suggested the Colombia forward may struggle to get back into the starting XI on his return as he looks to find a balance in his side.
"The problem for Falcao is because of balance in the game. I had to change, he came in and assisted a goal. Then in training he was injured.
"I cannot judge now because he is injured and I changed him not because of his performance but because of the balance of the team, which is much more important than the individual."
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