Manchester United's Michael Carrick out for rest of season

Michael Carrick will not be available for any of the games United face in the next month. Against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Hull City, it looks like Daley Blind or Wayne Rooney will have to fill the void, even if they often are the void when they play in midfield. Speaking to MUTV, Van Gaal said:

"Carrick is not available, it was more heavy than we thought. We tried everything but now we have to think about next season. He shall not play anymore this season, it's better now to focus for him on next season and being fit to start.

"When you see the stats, it's clear that he's very important but that's also because we have only right-sided holding midfielder. That's what I am saying already in the whole of the season, that our selection is not balanced, and I want to restore that in the next transfer period. The life is not ending at 34, but for a professional football player, it's close by. That's why I have to handle again in that position."

"Evans and Shaw can play football or the game. Evans doesn't have the match rhythm because he was injured for six weeks and after that he was suspended for six weeks, and after that he was injured. He needs match rhythm."