Manchester United have found themselves in another injury crisis, after seeing both Rafael da Silva and Luke Shaw pick up knocks in yesterday’s FA Cup clash with Yeovil Town, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
Rafael’s injury was the more serious on first analysis, as the Brazilian was taken to hospital, with his club’s physios believing that he had suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Luke Shaw, Rafael’s counterpart on the left side of the defence, was taken off at half time of the 2-0 win for the Red Devils, with the England international believed to have suffered an ankle injury.
Both Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia are expected to be out of action ahead of Man Utd’s clash with Southampton next Sunday, which means that the club have no senior full backs available to them for the game.
Van Gaal took time out to praise Rafael for continuing to play despite the injury.
The United boss said: “I think we have a lot of problems in the first half, I don’t think you have noticed Rafael Da Silva has an injury and a fracture of his bone so it was fantastic he had the guts to play through.
“But I have to change him and also Luke Shaw had an ankle problem so I had to change him also.
“Rafael has already gone away in a car. I don’t know how he did it. I cannot say I will have to watch the video. Also, with Shaw. It was a very physical game. Rafael played through. Last few weeks he has not played so much. He has a fantastic attitude, he is unbelievable.”
