Good afternoon! Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be speaking to the media in around 15 minutes as his side prepare to face Southampton this weekend.

The side did not lose during the busy festive period, but three draws from their last four outings have left them nine points behind the league leaders ahead of the visit of Ronald Koeman's side this weekend.

Van Gaal has been boosted by the return of Angel di Maria though. The Argentine international made his return from a hamstring injury in the FA Cup, scoring in the 2-0 win over Yeovil Town at the weekend.

Van Gaal is likely to face questions about the transfer window this afternoon. The club have announced a new signing this week, with former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes joining the club:

Victor Valdes is our new no.32. #WelcomeValdes pic.twitter.com/kbKULEsW3x — Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 9, 2015

It looks like Van Gaal is keen to get things underway a few minutes early, so let's see what he has to say...

Van Gaal starts with an injury update. He confirms that Luke Shaw is available, but Rafael is a doubt. Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo are back in training, leaving Ashley Young as the only player ruled out.

Van Gaal is asked about the signing of Valdes. He says: "His professional attitude is a reason to buy him."

On Di Maria's fitness, Van Gaal tells reporters: "Angel Di Maria has played only 20 minutes and that's because of the match rhythm that I gave. I have said I have only one injured player, but I don't have 100% match fit players. That's a different thing, but of course Di Maria is for example further than Daley Blind or Rojo."

The manager is asked whether Valdes will compete with David de Gea, but he says: "I cannot discuss that with you. I discuss that with David, with Victor, it shall be like that. Nobody is happy to be number two and he has to have ambition to beat David De Gea, but it shall be very hard for him."

Expanding on the arrival of Valdes, he adds: "I had the chance to see him and his behaviour in rehabilitation but also if his quality was still the same. He has confirmed both and that is very important for me and also for him because when I am satisfied then mostly the players are satisfied. We were the first to buy a player. We were very quick to buy Victor Valdes. You notice? Manchester, we deal quickly. When we can, we deal quickly. I think that he fits more in the profile that I have of a goalkeeper, and that's it."

Van Gaal is asked if there will be more new signings, but he's not giving anything away: "No, no, in this transfer window I do not discuss with you. You can ask in another way but I am always saying the same answer."

Going back to the injury list, Van Gaal is clearly delighted that he finally has an almost fully fit side: "Can you believe it? Only one [injured player]. I have to select for the first team in my career at Manchester United the 11 and the 18 players. Ashley Young, four weeks to six weeks [out], I think. It's always difficult to predict in a muscle disease. Blind has trained a full week with us. Will he be fit to play? Maybe, I cannot say that because I have to select."

Given that he has more players to pick from than normal, Van Gaal reveals how he will pick his team: "I have to select the best team and also I have to watch the qualities of Southampton, how I can reduce that quality by my lineup but also by our gameplan."

Well that's all from Van Gaal this afternoon, so join us again on Sunday from an hour prior to kickoff for all the build up, as well as team news, post-match reaction and plenty more. Until then, thanks for joining us this afternoon, goodbye.