Good afternoon! Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be speaking to the media shortly as his side prepares for the visit of West Bromwich Albion this weekend, looking to avoid a third straight defeat in the Premier League.

It has been reported in the run up to this match that Wayne Rooney could miss the rest of the season. However, the manager has confirmed to the club's TV channel that the captain is available for selection against Tony Pulis's side.

There's more team news from the club's TV channel as Van Gaal has also confirmed that Robin van Persie and Phil Jones are available, but Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans will both miss out through injury. Hopefully he'll be providing more details about their injuries in his press conference shortly.

Last weekend's defeat leaves United fourth in the table, seven points clear of fifth placed Liverpool, and just two behind Manchester City, who sit second. Van Gaal's side still have fixtures against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Hull City to come before the end of the campaign.

Man Utd and Arsenal's pitches have been voted the best in the Premier League this week. It's certainly helped United this season, as they have won 14 times at Old Trafford so far:

Don't forget, we'll have live coverage of this match tomorrow afternoon, as well as team news, post-match reaction and player ratings, plus loads more, so make sure you're with us again then.

While we wait for the manager's press conference, here's what he had to say in his pre- press conference interview with MUTV: "Rooney is fit to play, it was not so heavy as we expected. Wayne is very important for us, so I am very happy. Jones is fit but we have to see his match rhythm, of course. But Shaw has trouble with his groin so he cannot play. For six weeks [Jonny Evans] had nothing and he could not play or participate in the selection [due to suspension] and then he had an injury. It is unbelievable, but it is true."

Right then, the manager is ready to face the media, so let's see what he has to say this week...

Van Gaal is asked whether or not he side can challenge for the title next year, and he responds: "The board has given me three years for that objective, so yes. This year we have not challenged Chelsea, but we are very close to second position. Chelsea are far above the other clubs, next year it can be different. Next year we shall be better prepared. You've seen our matches against the top clubs. There is not a big gap."

More on the injury news from the manager as he confirms: "Wayne it fit. On the contrary, Luke Shaw has a groin injury, Jonny Evans is also injured. He was for six weeks not injured and could play, but now he is injured and can't play. Michael Carrick is also still injured. I had hoped he would be available this weekend, but not."

Turning his attention to next season, Van Gaal reveals: "Next year will be different, next year we will have a different squad. We need balance in our selection. I can't deny that. I think also the preparation of our season. We have to make the balance in our selection better. We have to perform better than this year. We have started very badly this year. If you cut that out, we are equal to Chelsea, I think. We have to prepare better."

Van Gaal believes that injuries have hampered his side this season: "There are many circumstances that you can define as the reason for the injury list. In the second half of the season we have had much less injuries. Football is a spot of resistance."

On whether Van Persie will feature this weekend, Van Gaal says: "He can play, but we have t wait and see if I let him play of course."

That's all from Van Gaal for now, so join us again tomorrow to see if United can get back to winning ways. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye!