Manchester United injury news: Michael Carrick, Daley Blind, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo will MISS Chelsea match, confirms Louis van Gaal

Carrick, Jones and Blind were expected to start the game against Chelsea

Louis van Gaal said the Premier League needs a winter break (AFP/Getty Images)

Manchester United have suffered a massive injury blow ahead of their crunch match against Chelsea on Saturday.

Four first-team players - Michael Carrick, Daley Blind, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo - have been ruled out for the game at Stamford Bridge, confirmed their manager Louis van Gall on the club's in-house TV channel MUTV.

The quartet have been crucial in United's recent run, with Carrick and Blind in particular in fantastic form.

"It's part of life in football," said the Dutch coach.

Van Gaal is due on MUTV at 12pm with a full update.

Michael Carrick will miss the trip to Chelsea through injury (GETTY IMAGES)

Daley Blind (GETTY IMAGES)

Marcos Rojo (GETTY IMAGES)

Phil Jones (GETTY IMAGES)

Carrick is still suffering from a calf injury he suffered in the 4-2 win over Manchester City while Blind has been forced out due to an ankle problem he picked up when he was tackled by City captain Vincent Kompany.

Rojo has an adductor problem while Jones is ruled out with an ankle complaint.

The good news for Van Gaal is that left-back Luke Shaw is fit to return to the side following a six-week absence.

But the fact that Blind and Carrick are out leaves Van Gaal short in one of the most crucial positions in his 4-3-3 system - that of the holding midfielder.

Because he is so bereft of options there, the Dutchman is considering dropping Wayne Rooney back into the position even though the United skipper has been in good form since he moved up front following a mixed spell in midfield.

Van Gaal added: "I don't have another option or I have to play Wayne Rooney again in that position."

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