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03rd Dec 2015

Another day, another defensive injury for Manchester United

Threadbare

Darragh Murphy

Louis van Gaal just about has one fit back four to his name.

But the Dutchman is increasingly having to use his imagination as another injury has hit the Manchester United camp.

It emerged on Thursday that Marcos Rojo could be out until the New Year after the Argentine defender dislocated his shoulder in training.

It is the same shoulder that Rojo dislocated during the derby defeat to Manchester City last November.

Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League

The injury could force Louis van Gaal to move Daley Blind, who had primarily been used as a centre-back this season, to left back and bring Phil Jones or Paddy McNair into the centre of defence for the next few weeks.

Jones is still not fully fit, having injured his foot against Watford, so his presence at the back isn’t guaranteed either.

Watford v Manchester United - Premier League

The growing defensive injury list which now includes Rojo, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia could force Van Gaal’s hand in the transfer market as full back options are few and far between at Old Trafford right now.

Manchester United host West Ham on Saturday afternoon and Louis van Gaal will be hoping that his bad luck at the back will soon be over as the Red Devils enter a congested festive period.

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