Louis van Gaal praises Ronald Koeman impact

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has backed Ronald Koeman to cope with the recent injury problems that he has encountered at Southampton.

Koeman has seen his attempts to keep Southampton in the top four of the Premier League table hindered by injuries to a number of his first-team players, but Van Gaal has praised his fellow Dutchman for the impact that he has made at St Mary's.

The United boss told reporters: "Do you know how many players we lost? We have lost more players, but Ronald Koeman is a very good coach and I know that he can do it.

"It's also surprising a club like Southampton is in that position now but that's down to the coach, players and staff."

Southampton play host to United on Monday evening, with a win for the visitors being enough to take them above the South Coast outfit in the standings.