Louis van Gaal: 'Phil Jones to start on bench against Ipswich Town'

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Phil Jones will be on the bench for Wednesday's League Cup tie against Ipswich Town.

Jones has been unable to make a competitive appearance this season due to mild thrombosis, with Daley Blind often filling in at centre-back alongside Chris Smalling in his absence.

Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair will miss the third-round clash due to respective injury problems, which has forced Van Gaal to bring back Jones sooner than originally planned.

"Rojo has a hamstring injury and Paddy McNair has a minor injury. I have to admit that because of the injury of three defenders (including Luke Shaw), I shall have Jones on the bench but he is not fit," Van Gaal told MUTV.

United have not met Ipswich in a competitive fixture for 13 years.