Assistant manager Ryan Giggs was absent during Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Stoke City due to a family illness, according to the Daily Mirror.

United put in arguably their best performance of the season when casting aide the Potters at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

However, Giggs was not present to witness the clash as he had to tend to an illness in his family.

Louis van Gaal gave permission for his right-hand man to miss the Stoke match but it is expected the Welshman will be back on the touchline for Sunday's clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.