Good afternoon! Louis van Gaal is due to speak to the media ahead of Manchester United's Premier League match against Everton shortly.

The manager has had well-documented fitness problems with his defenders so far this season, but he could find himself short up front this week, with Wayne Rooney suspended for the match against his former club.

Van Gaal's defensive worries should actually ease a little this week. Phil Jones is expected to feature after missing the last month with injury, while Tyler Blackett will be available again after being suspended for the match against West Ham.

In the build up to this match, it has been reported that the club have agreed terms with Radamel Falcao to make his loan move permanent at the end f this season. The manager will surely be asked about that this afternoon.

Man Utd face a tricky run later this month. After a trip to West Brom following the international break, Van Gaal's side will play Chelsea followed by a trip to Manchester City the next week.

So Van Gaal is in position and ready to speak, let's see what he has to say...

Van Gaal started with an update on the injury situation: "[Paddy McNair is] the only one who can play in the right-sided defensive position. He played very well. We have eight injuries and one suspension, so nine players are not available. You can be fit but not match fit. Herrera is fit but can't play because of his rib pressure. Fellaini's not yet fit to play 90 mins."

There will be no Phil Jones for United as Van Gaal confirms that he is not yet fit. However, Juan Mata is in line for a return: "In [the no.10] position, Juan has played very well. I'll miss Wayne but Mata can also play very well."

Van Gaal is asked who will captain the side in Rooney's absence. The managers reveals that he has told the players, but that he will not reveal the decision to the public until matchday.

With United not playing cup football midweek, the club are looking to arrange some exhibition games for midweek in the New Year. Van Gaal confirms that it something which he supports: "I agree with that. I said that also. We have spoken last week with each other and Ed Woodward so I fully agree. I'm used to playing midweeks, but I have said in the first three months we have to wait because it's difficult enough for the players to adapt and adjust to the new play organisation and style and they shall honour that also but we shall play midweeks. It's good because I like to play games against high level opponents."

Sunday's opponents, Everton, have been to Russia during the week for a Europa League match, but the manager doesn't know how much that will affect the Toffees: "It's difficult to explain because the result is very important. You have to look at how did you fly? How did you manage that as a group or as individual players? It's logical to say maybe we have the benefit but the motivation to play at Old Trafford against United is maybe much more important than the flight."

Van Gaal also admits that he is a fan of this week's opponents: "I have to say that I like Everton because they want to play football like I want to play football. It shall be a very interesting game, I know we lost to them twice last season so it will be difficult. I hope we can dominate the game but they will want to do that too, they're more likely to play on the counter than us. That's also the difficulty."

Back on the subject of young defender Patrick McNair, Van Gaal says: "We still have three central defenders injured so he shall play, he is the only player who can play in the right-sided defensive position. I chose him last week and he played very good. It's difficult for a player like him to maintain that level, that is his biggest challenge."

And that's it from Van Gaal today, but don't forget to come back on Sunday to find out how Man Utd get on. We'll have live build up from 11am, as well as team news and post-match reaction. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.