Antonio Valencia will most likely be on the bench when Manchester United take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Europa League tie at Anfield tomorrow.
The Ecuadorian has returned to training in the past few weeks, having been sidelined with a foot injury since November, and Louis van Gaal has confirmed that the utility man will likely be in the matchday squad tomorrow.
Van Gaal also confirmed that Bastian Schweinsteiger is back in training, having recovered from a knee problem, and could play a part when United face West Ham in their FA Cup quarter-final encounter on Sunday.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Van Gaal said:
Antonio Valencia and Bastian Schweinsteiger are coming back. I think a lot of players shall come back in the month of March. But when they come back, it is not so easy to decide if they can cope with the rhythm of a match because they are fit to train with us.
For example, Schweinsteiger has only had one training session with us behind his back. Valencia has a week [behind him] so he is much closer to being on the bench, for example, but not to play a match as that’s different.
I don’t think [any new players will be available] but Valencia is fit enough to be on the bench, but to play 90 minutes, I don’t think so.
Juan Mata is free to play despite being sent off against West Brom at the weekend, as his ban will be served domestically, but Jesse Lingard will be missing through suspension while Adnan Januzaj and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are ineligible to play in the Europa League.
The United manager also talked up the importance of this clash for both clubs, given that there is a Champions League qualification spot on the line with United and Liverpool both unlikely to make the top four:
It is always a big game traditionally and historically. Especially because both sides fight for the Champions League position so it’s a big game for both sides.
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