Selection Worries Pile Up For LVG

In desperate need of a good performance following their Champions League exit in mid-week, Manchester United visit Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday in the grip of a selection crisis.

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been hit with a three-game ban and United manager Louis van Gaal could also be without up to six senior defenders for the trip to the south coast.

Van Gaal has been slammed up and down after United’s 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg on Tuesday condemned them to a group-stage exit from the Champions League, but winger Jesse Lingard believes the criticism has been overplayed.

“Playing for Manchester United comes with a lot of pressure,” said Lingard, whose side go into the weekend in fourth place in the table, three points below leaders Leicester City.

“If you’re out of a competition, you’re going to get critics. They’re going to start saying stuff. We’ve got to rise above that as a team, move on and concentrate on the next game.

“We just need to stay positive. We’re creating a lot of chances, we’re just lacking that end product. But we’re working on it and hopefully that will come in the next game.”

Schweinsteiger is out of the game, and his side’s following two fixtures, after accepting a Football Association charge of violent conduct on Thursday.

He was punished duly for elbowing Winston Reid during last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to West Ham United, but his ban will be completed in time for Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford on December 28.

Van Gaal may not be too concerned about the absence of the Germany captain, who he substituted at Wolfsburg, having earlier criticised his performances in public.

What will be a worry to the manager, though, is a defensive injury list that may yet force him to field three inexperienced players in his back four at Bournemouth.