Injured Angel Di Maria ruled out of Manchester United-Liverpool clash

Angel Di Maria has been ruled out of Manchester United's
game against Liverpool on Sunday.
Di Maria, 26, was substituted after just 13 minutes during
United's 3-0 win over Hull on Nov. 29, and has since missed
victories over Stoke and Southampton.
Louis van Gaal tells #MUTV that Angel Di Maria is
unavailable for Sunday's game vs Liverpool but says #mufc's
injury situation is improving.
- Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2014
But manager Louis van Gaal believes United's injury problems
are easing and confirmed that Chris Smalling, who limped off
in Monday's 2-1 win over the Saints, will only be out for
two weeks.
Left-back Luke Shaw and midfielder Daley Blind, who are
unlikely to play again in 2014, are the only other sidelined
players.
"Now I have only four players injured so that is better than
ever," said Van Gaal in a news conference. "Only Shaw,
Smalling, Di Maria and Blind [are out]."
It means that Phil Jones, who has been out since October
with shin splints, is back in training while Rafael da Silva,
who has been out with a groin problem, is also back in
contention.
While the 59.7 million-pound man Di Maria is out, another
of United's summer signings, Radamel Falcao, could make his
first start since October.
The Colombian striker has been on the bench in recent games
and Van Gaal said: "He could make a return."
The United manager hailed Michael Carrick and praised the
midfielder for his versatility after he dropped into the defence
in his side's win at St Mary's.
The 63-year-old, referring to the Dutch habit of giving a
centre-back the No. 3 shirt, believes Carrick has the ability to
carry on there.
He added: "I think Michael Carrick can play as a No. 6 and
as a No. 3 and that is very important; No. 3 is not the same
number you use in England as I use for the position."
Carrick missed the start of the season but has been on the
winning side in each of the five matches he has started, and
Van Gaal added: "It is very important that I can play him in
midfield and in defence and especially in these times when we
have a lot of defenders injured. It was good he came back, so
because of him we have more balance in the team."