Van Gaal gives latest Man Utd injury update ahead of Arsenal test

Van Gaal praised Smalling for his performances at both ends of the pitch but the centre-back paid tribute to Spaniard Mata for his assist.

“In the first half we played very well but we didn’t finish our chances, and that was our problem”, he said. We were aware of that and we conceded a goal, but we kept our composure and I think we had many chances in the first half to level the score and that is what we did.

Carrick sat out the Champions League win over Wolfsburg on Wednesday due to what was described as a minor injury, but Van Gaal has said the 34-year-old will be fit to play against the Gunners.

Manchester United took all three points last night as they beat Wolfsburg 2-1 in the Champions League. “Hopefully we can win the next game against Arsenal now and continue from there”.

“Manchester United has to improve to win the Premier League or a tournament like the Champions League”.

“I don’t speak about individual performances, but I have seen Mata playing better than today”, said the Dutchman.

The England worldwide has recently been deployed at wing back on a number of occasions as he has begun to reinvent himself under the guidance of Van Gaal.

The playmaker added: “The manager made a list of penalty takers and I am the first right now and I have confidence”.

Meanwhile, Wolfsburg boss Dieter Hecking had a few strong words as he gave his analysis of the game, which he thought United should have finished with 10 men.

To ensure his players are fully recharged for Sunday’s title showdown at Arsenal, van Gaal has given his players Friday off to recover.

“Today, we have won this game but it could have been done in a better way”.

Smalling was delighted to secure his team’s first win in the competition and praised Mata’s display against the Bundesliga side. I can not make decisions now, the team has a day off on Friday and then we travel down.

“What I like about Young is that he is a team player and there are not many team players out there”.