Louis van Gaal remains tight-lipped on Anthony Martial injury

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal isn't being drawn on the nature or extent of the injury sustained by Anthony Martial in the warmup ahead of the victory over Norwich City on Saturday. The Frenchman was unable to play after picking up the hamstring problem, and faces a race to be fit for the match against West Ham United on Tuesday. Quoted in the Mirror, van Gaal said he won't be taking any risks:

"Anthony felt something and I'm a manager who is not taking risks. Especially not in his situation and I said this to Anthony because he has played most of all the matches, like Daley Blind and Chris Smalling.

"He is 20 years old. I have to take care of him so he didn't play and Wayne had to play the striker's position. He gave an assist to Juan Mata and it has been solved very well.

"When a player says he feels something, he shall not play. I think you have to be fit, especially in this weather as that is a big difference. We have to see on Sunday if the muscle is tight."

The injury is made all the more unfortunate by the minor miracle of Manchester City's cock-up against Arsenal earlier today. The Blues twice threw away a lead against the Gunners, meaning United would leapfrog Manuel Pellegrini's side in the table if they win their game-in-hand. All of a sudden, Champions League qualification looks a very real possibility once again.