Van Gaal: Van Persie still injured

Robin van Persie has been ruled out of Manchester United’s Barclays Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Van Persie has not played for United since he suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat to Swansea on February 21.

It was expected he would return this weekend after the international break, but manager Louis van Gaal said the Holland striker is still not match fit.

“Robin van Persie is still injured,” the United manager said his weekly press conference at the AON Training Complex.

“We have a process. He has to go to the final football coach before he comes into my group and he is not there yet.

“He is still not in my group.”

Chris Smalling came off in the first half of England's 1-1 draw in Italy through illness on Tuesday and he is a major doubt for Villa's visit to Old Trafford.

“Smalling is ill so I don’t know if he is available,” Van Gaal said.

“(On Thursday) he was at the club, but in the medical department, doing his recovery and so on. (On Friday) I know already that he is not feeling well so it shall be difficult for him.”

There is better news regarding Luke Shaw, though.

Shaw missed England’s games against Lithuania and Italy due to a hamstring problem, but he is back to full fitness, according to Van Gaal.

The Dutchman said: “Luke Shaw is in my group.”