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Live Coverage: Louis van Gaal's weekly Manchester United press conference

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal's pre-match press conference.
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Louis van Gaal confirmed that Robin van Persie will miss Manchester United's match against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

The striker is sidelined with an injury, while Marcos Rojo will need a late fitness test.

The manager also spoke about Radamel Falcao's involvement with the Under-21 side.

Read what else the boss discussed below.


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Good afternoon! Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be speaking to the media shortly ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE! The manager has already been speaking to the club's TV channel, and has confirmed that Robin van Persie it still out, and Marcos Rojo will need a late fitness test.

Man Utd have won three of their last four matches in the league, but it's a tricky month coming up for the Dutchman's team. They go to Liverpool and Chelsea in the next five weeks, while Manchester City visit Old Trafford.

Two players who will also be missing on Sunday are Jonny Evans and Angel di Maria. Evans is suspended following the spitting incident involving him and Papiss Cisse, while Angel di Maria misses out after getting sent off in the FA Cup outing.

Don't forget, you can follow live coverage of this match from an hour before kickoff with Sports Mole, and we'll also bring you team news, half time and full time updates and plenty of post-match reaction, so make sure you're with us on Sunday.

Right then, the manager is ready to talk, so let's see what Van Gaal has to say this week...

The manager starts by praising his side's reaction following their exit from the FA cup. He says: "They've reacted fantastically in the training sessions. I cannot speak more highly about the professional attitude of my players, they are willing to do everything."

Van Gaal is asked about Radamel Falcao's involvement with the under-21 side earlier this week, and the manager insists that it has been blown out of proportion in the media: "I have read it was a humiliation. I do not think so. It is a professional attitude of the manager, the management, also the club and especially from the player. It's not only Falcao, Valdes and Rafael have also played. He has not reacted how the media say he has reacted."

Van Gaal insists that his side can still make the top four: "I have the same confidence as before. I'm very pleased with the reaction and I hope we can show that against Spurs, the first of 10 matches in the rat race."

Van Gaal is asked about Falcao again, and he says: "We are looking for the solution. Sometimes players can give fantastic performances in one country but not another. It would not be the first time and it won't be the last."

Sticking with Falcao, Van Gaal adds: "At a club like Man United, it is more difficult. He has competitors, he know Wayne Rooney is playing there and scoring."

Rafael played in the same Under-21s match as Falcao, and Van Gaal believes that it will help the Brazilian: "Rafa played a very good match and scored a wonderful goal, and because of that he can grip again his confidence."

Van Gaal believes that good finishing is vital for Man Utd if they are to seal a place in the top four: "Every game is very important. We must keep the fighting spirit and we have to me more effective in finishing our chances."

On Sunday's match, Van Gaal reiterates: "Every game is very important because they each have an influence on the next game. The game against Arsenal has an influence on the match against Tottenham. We have to keep the fighting spirit and we have to be more effective in finishing our chances."

That's it from Van Gaal this week, so make sure you're with us again on Sunday to see if Man Utd can secure their third straight league win. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.

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Wayne Rooney of Manchester United scores a goal to level the scores at 1-1 during the FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on March 9, 2015
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