Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is shocked by their injuries in the early weeks of the season.
While the return of Robin van Persie and Antonio Valencia will be a welcome boost for the Dutch coach after the opening-day defeat to Swansea, knocks to midfielders Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera have given van Gaal another selection headache.
"We have seven injuries, so that is a lot," he said. "In my career as a trainer-coach, we've never had seven injuries in my selection, and the last game it was nine, so we are progressing! But okay, seven injuries, plus Fellaini who has an ankle problem, so we'll have to wait and see because [on Saturday] he'll have a scan. It is always better to do that after two or three days and not at once. I cannot say anything about that - but he is injured, yes.
"Herrera is also injured, so we have four midfielders out. [Michael] Carrick, Herrera, Fellaini and [Jesse] Lingard. So we are a little bit thin in midfield and it's a problem that I have. I already explained at the last press conference that it is very difficult when you have a trip to the United States to be prepared for the season.
"[Jonny] Evans has recovered and trained today for the first time, so he's not available for selection yet. Valencia is back. With Herrera - it is too early to say because it happened [on Thursday] in the training session and it's still too early for him to have a scan. The same thing as Fellaini."
