Good afternoon! Louis van Gaal will be holding his pre-match press conference shortly as he prepares his side for a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League this weekend.

The manager has already been speaking with the club's TV channel ahead of his press conference. He's confirmed that Michael Carrick, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones will all miss the match, while Daley Blind is a doubt. Meanwhile, Rafael is out for the rest of the season with a broken rib.

One player who will surely be in the side again this week is Marouane Fellaini. The manager admitted last week that he likes players to face their old clubs, and the former Everton man has been a key player for Van Gaal in recent weeks.

Here's a look at the squad in training for this fixture. As well as Fellaini, captain Wayne Rooney will also be facing his former club this weekend:

#mufc have been preparing at the Aon Training Complex ahead of facing Everton on Sunday. Pics: http://t.co/MacNxpbpkW pic.twitter.com/87kiv62BK0 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 24, 2015

The number of transfer rumours has been increasing by the day over the last week, with Man Utd in particular the subject of a lot of speculation. Van Gaal could be asked about reports that he will look to sign Wesley Sneijder and Memphis Depay this summer, as well as rumours that Javier Hernandez could move to West Ham.

Don't forget, Sports Mole will have live coverage of this match from an hour before kickoff, as well as team news, post-match quotes and loads more, so make sure you're with us on Sunday to see if United can bounce back from their loss last time out.

Right then, the manager is ready to talk, so let's see what's up for discussion this week...

Jonny Evans is available again this week after serving a six-match ban for spitting, and Van Gaal says: "I have defended him and I still defend him, so I don't punish him."

Following Luke Shaw's return to action last week, the manager says: "He played very well against Chelsea, but I believe in Luke, so for me it isn't a big surprise."

Talk turns to the transfer window, with reporters asking about the team's links with Memphis Depay, but Van Gaal insists: "I don't discuss it with the media. You know my answer. I have a lot of relationships with players. I cannot buy all the players I have coached already."

On Van Persie's fitness, the manager says: "He has to train very hard to play in the second team. He has to show his qualities again. Then I have to compare him with the positions he can play, with the players that play in that position, it is always the same."

With Fellaini returning to his old club this weekend, Van Gaal says: "I have spoken with him. Marouane is always dry with his answers, he said it is a game, but it is special for him. I hope the fans give him the same reception Juan Mata received at Chelsea [last week]."

Man Utd sit third in the table, which would be good enough for a Champions League spot, and the manager says: "I'm always at a club to be a champion, but when we reach our goal we are happy."

On the team's defeat to Chelsea last week, Van Gaal insists: "The result was the only thing that was not going my way, and of course finishing the chances. That is what counts in football. It is not counting the performance. When you win in sport, you can say everything, you can do everything. I think it is not only performance but results that count."

Well, that's all from a fairly brief Van Gaal today. So, join us again on Sunday to see if his side can return to winning ways. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.