Manchester United injury news: Antonio Valencia a doubt for Middlesbrough clash after picking up foot injury

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Antonio Valencia sustained a foot injury in the goalless draw with Manchester City. The Ecuador international picked up the knock in the first half but carried on playing until the 81st minute before he was replaced by Matteo Darmian at right-back.

Van Gaal did not specify how serious Valencia's injury was, but the full-back could well sit out the Capital One Cup clash against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on 28 October. "He had a kick on his foot in the first half and then I let Darmian warm up on the touchline," Van Gaal told MUTV after the final whistle. "But then he played further. However, at the end, he could not continue."

'Tactical game'

Van Gaal was pleased with United's performance in the derby and felt the Red Devils deserved to win on the balance of play. "I am very proud of my players because I think we played 90 minutes of a tough game. Both sides played a very tactical game," he told MUTV.

"We created more chances but we didn't finish them and that is the disappointment because you must win these kinds of games for the fans. It is the derby and when you are so focused and so concentrated like we were today then, yeah, you deserve to win. But sometimes you don't get what you deserve."

The draw lifted City back to the top of the Premier League table, while United climbed down a spot to fourthReuters

The hugely awaited encounter between the Manchester rivals was not the spectacle that many had expected, with both teams registering just a single shot on target each over 90 minutes. Van Gaal said City's defensive formation and tactics made it difficult for his team to create opportunities in front of goal.

"We didn't create so many chances because it was difficult with how they played. They were so organised and played on the counter attack," he explained. "It was the same in the game against [CSKA] Moscow, but it says something about the strength of Manchester United."

Manchester United vs Middlesbrough: Louis van Gaal confirms Antonio Valencia injury

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has ruled out Antonio Valencia for the Capital One Cup fourth round against Middlesbrough on Wednesday night (28 October) after the versatile player sustained a foot injury during the draw with Manchester City earlier in October. The Dutch boss has included James Wilson and Andreas Pereira in the squad but refused to confirm whether the two academy youngsters will be in the starting line-up.

The Premier League giants take on the Championship side as they look to book their place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup after they were knocked out in the second round by MK Dons in the 2014-15 season. Van Gaal is determined to fight for the title in his second campaign at Old Trafford but suggested that he may need to make some changes in his starting line-up after admitting several players are in the "red zone" in terms of their fitness.

"Of course, Valencia is injured, that we could all see," Van Gaal said to MUTV. "But I have a lot of players in the 'red zone' because we have had a lot of matches and we have a lot of matches to play. I have to see if I can use them or not. I have to decide tomorrow [28 October]. We need all the days to recover at this moment, so it is difficult to say."

The Dutch manager does have options with the squad's youngsters, and Wilson and Pereira could play a part against the Championship side. "Yes, of course they are in the selection [the squad]," he confirmed. "But I have to select the line-up and that I don't know. I have to do that on Wednesday."

Wilson has only made one late cameo appearance in the current campaign in the Premier League defeat against Arsenal after being close to leave the team during the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the Brazilian starlet scored a sensational free-kick in the previous Capital One Cup round against Ipswich Town but has since failed to make any Premier League appearances.

Antonio Valencia a doubt for Manchester United v Middlesbrough

Antonio Valencia is a doubt for Manchester United’s Capital One Cup tie with Middlesbrough after limping off during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.

United welcome the Championship side to Old Trafford on Wednesday night for their fourth-round encounter looking to book their place in the quarter-finals for the first time since December 2013.

But they may have to make do without Valencia, who was withdrawn late on in the goalless draw with City.

The 30-year-old sustained a foot injury midway through the first-half, but continued playing through the pain and re-emerged following the half-time interval.

He was eventually substituted by manager Louis van Gaal in the 81st minute however, and replaced by Matteo Darmain.

"He [Valencia] had a kick on his foot in the first half and then I let Darmian warm up on the touchline," Van Gaal told MUTV. "But then he played further. However, at the end, he could not continue."

Van Gaal is likely to shuffle his pack ahead of the match with Aitor Karanka's side and could rest a number of first-team players who featured against City.

Memphis Depay, Antonio Valencia and James Wilson injured for Man United

Memphis Depay, Antonio Valencia and James Wilson are injured ahead of Manchester United's trip to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

Depay and Wilson were both injured in the Capital One Cup penalty shootout defeat by Middlesbrough while Valencia hurt his foot in the Manchester derby last weekend.

"Willo was injured but also Memphis Depay was injured," Van Gaal told MUTV on Friday.

"It was a very bad game afterwards because we lost on penalties and also we lost two players. We have to wait and see [how long they are unavailable for] because it was only two days ago."

Depay, 21, has made eight Premier League appearances for United since signing from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, scoring one goal.

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

Manchester United injury news: Memphis Depay, James Wilson, Antonio Valencia will all miss Crystal Palace clash

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that he has injury problems for the Crystal Palace match with Memphis Depay, Antonio Valencia and James Wilson also out of the trip to London.

Depay and Wilson were both injured in the Middlesbrough game while Valencia hurt his foot in the Manchester derby last weekend.

"Willo was injured but also Memphis Depay was injured," Van Gaal told MUTV on Friday. "It was a very bad game afterwards because we lost on penalties and also we lost two players. We have to wait and see [how long they are unavailable for] because it was only two days ago."

The defender Paddy McNair is still recovering from a injury that he sustained while playing for Northern Ireland in the recent international break. Left-back Luke Shaw is still a long-term absentee with the double fracture of the leg that he sustained in the Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven.