Louis van Gaal’s signings haven’t exactly set the world alight this season, and the Dutchman’s plans have been hit further with the news that his countryman, Daley Blind, will miss the next four to six weeks of the campaign.
Blind was injured during Holland’s 6-0 victory over Latvia, limping out of the game after just 19 minutes after tearing ligaments in his knee in a collision with an opponent.
Confirmed by Dutch television station NOS: Daley Blind has torn his knee ligament. He’ll be sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks.
— Elko Born (@Elko_B) November 16, 2014
‘It doesn’t look good,’ coach Guus Hiddink said. ‘It is his medial ligament. It could be a strain but also be a tear, so that is a big blow.’
The injury to Blind completes a miserable few days for Van Gaal, who has also lost the services of goalkeeper for an undetermined period of time after he dislocated a finger during training with Spain, and further undermines his attempts to field a strong defence against Arsenal next Sunday.
Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Rafael, Jonny Evans and Michael Carrick have all already been ruled out or are struggling to be fit.
