Manchester United suffered a major injury setback with the news that Wayne Rooney will be missing around two months of action due to a knee injury. The forward suffered this ligament injury recently and this leaves the club with Anthony Martial as the recognised come forward within the squad.
Even as many continue to blame Van Gaal for selling strikers like Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie in one go, the decision by the club not be called James Wilson from his loan spell at Brighton also appears to be surprising.
Wilson has played for United on a few occasions and he is someone who knows the club after having come through the ranks. The striker has three goals in 12 matches for the Championship club and he would provide an option for Van Gaal. However, it seems that the Dutchman will rely on Martial alone in the upcoming weeks.
There were rumours on the net from both bookmakers and football gossip sites that United were first in line to sign Italian Mauricio Icardi in the January transfer window that just closed, but they failed to get the deal over the line in time for him to sign. Whether they revisit this in the summer is debatable, especially with LVG being linked with the sack.
Apart from the league, United will also be involved in the Europa League and FA Cup. “No [United not thinking about a recall for Wilson]. At this point I can call James Wilson back, but at this point I have possibilities with Will Keane and Anthony Martial. Also there is Memphis Depay,” said Van Gaal. The decision would have been made so as to continue the development of the player. If Wilson is recalled early from his loan spell, it may affect his chances of first-team action in the next six months. Martial, meanwhile, has seven goals in 21 appearances this season.