Angel Di Maria has been ruled out of Manchester United's game against Liverpool on Sunday.
Di Maria, 26, was substituted after just 13 minutes during United's 3-0 win over Hull on Nov. 29, and has since missed victories over Stoke and Southampton.
Louis van Gaal tells #MUTV that Angel Di Maria is unavailable for Sunday's game vs Liverpool but says #mufc's injury situation is improving.
- Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2014
But manager Louis van Gaal believes United's injury problems are easing and confirmed that Chris Smalling, who limped off in Monday's 2-1 win over the Saints, will only be out for two weeks.
Left-back Luke Shaw and midfielder Daley Blind, who are unlikely to play again in 2014, are the only other sidelined players.
"Now I have only four players injured so that is better than ever," said Van Gaal in a news conference. "Only Shaw, Smalling, Di Maria and Blind [are out]."
It means that Phil Jones, who has been out since October with shin splints, is back in training while Rafael da Silva, who has been out with a groin problem, is also back in contention.
While the 59.7 million-pound man Di Maria is out, another of United's summer signings, Radamel Falcao, could make his first start since October.
The Colombian striker has been on the bench in recent games and Van Gaal said: "He could make a return."
The United manager hailed Michael Carrick and praised the midfielder for his versatility after he dropped into the defence in his side's win at St Mary's.
The 63-year-old, referring to the Dutch habit of giving a centre-back the No. 3 shirt, believes Carrick has the ability to carry on there.
He added: "I think Michael Carrick can play as a No. 6 and as a No. 3 and that is very important; No. 3 is not the same number you use in England as I use for the position."
Carrick missed the start of the season but has been on the winning side in each of the five matches he has started, and Van Gaal added: "It is very important that I can play him in midfield and in defence and especially in these times when we have a lot of defenders injured. It was good he came back, so because of him we have more balance in the team."