Despite having spent a record amount of sum on new recruits, Man United continue to struggle this season having picked up three points only on one of the five occasions this campaign. Van Gaal's side was embarrassed during their last outing as they suffered a 5-3 defeat at the hands of newly promoted side Leicester City.
Robin Van Persie and Di Maria gave the Red Devils an early advantage after opening up the scoring in the first half. Herrera's strike in the second half gave United a 3-1 advantage which they surrendered in a space of 20 minutes as Leicester stormed back into the match scoring four more times to win the match 5-3.
Following the match Man United manager Van Gaal rued upon the absence of a growing number of players from the squad which has forced him to include two of United's youth players into the senior squad namely defenders Paddy McNair and Tom Thorpe.
"They are in the squad. That is always why we have a youth education," Van Gaal said referring to the two youngsters included in the squad for Saturday's encounter.
"It was also our policy [to utilise the youth squads] and always the policy of the club too.
"The amount of injuries is worrying me and they are not coming back.
"Smalling is already, for the third time, injured. Evans also. Jones had one injury in the national team, which was unfortunate."
Despite being short of defended minded players, the Dutch tactician has refused the possibility of his compatriot Daley Blind playing at the back in the match against West Ham.
"I don't like having too many left-sided defenders or left-footed players in defence," he remarked.
"I think always of balance so [instead] I have to pick up a right-sided central defender from the youth education.
"Normally, I am always doing things like that. I have already said that we have a lot of vacancies when you buy only six players and let 14 players go."
West Ham on the other hand will be in a buoyant mood ahead of the match having defeated Liverpool during their last outing.
West Ham do have a number of casualties in the squad with Cheikhou Kouyate (groin), Kevin Nolan (shoulder) and Matt Jarvis (thigh) doubtful for the match.
Manchester United vs West Ham team sheets
Man United's lineup: De Gea; Rafael, McNair, Rojo, Shaw; Blind, Herrera, Di María, Rooney; Van Persie, Falcao
Man United's bench: Lindegaard, Mata, Januzaj, Fletcher, Valencia, Thorpe, Pereira
West Ham's lineup: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Tomkins, Downing, Sakho, Demel, Amalfitano, Poyet, Song, Valencia
West Ham's bench: Jaaskelainen, Nolan, Zarate, Vaz Te, Jenkinson, Collins, Cole
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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