Greetings all! Louis van Gaal will be addressing the press shortly to give his thoughts ahead of this weekend's clash against Sunderland. It's not been the best of weeks for the Red Devils following last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Swansea City.

The North-West outfit appear to be in a four-way battle for fourth, with Liverpool, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur all vying for that Champions League spot. United only have a one-point cushion in fourth at the moment, so a victory this weekend is vital if they are to keep their hopes of returning to Europe's elite alive.

The bad news for United is that rivals Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were dumped out of the Europa League last night, so they have one less competition to focus on in their battle for fourth!

Team news will be high on the agenda in today's press conference as reports have emerged claiming that Robin van Persie will be missing for one month with torn ankle ligaments. I'm sure Van Gaal will confirm the extent of the striker's injury shortly.

As mentioned above, matters on the pitch haven't been the brightest, and while Sunderland are fighting for survival, they have proved to be a difficult side to face for United. Earlier this season, the Black Cats salvaged a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light. Could we see a similar result tomorrow?

As expected, Van Gaal has provided injury updates on his players, but has not revealed how long Robin van Persie is likely to be sidelined for. The Dutchman told MUTV: "Now Robin van Persie is the only injured player because [Michael] Carrick trained yesterday for the first time with the group, but he has an ankle injury now, so we will have to wait and see how long that shall take. James Wilson is available."

Van Gaal has commented further on Michael Carrick's return to first-team training by adding to the club's channel: "It is of course always important that players are coming back from injuries but he is my second captain. He is very experienced and he can play in a very important position, but he also needs match rhythm. He trained only one time with us, with the group so he needs to also play in the second team."

So, United fans, how much of a blow is it to lose Van Persie? He may have scored 10 goals this season so far, but arguably, the Dutch striker has been far from his best form of late. With Radamel Falcao failing to find his shooting boots, the pressure of goals will weigh more heavily on Wayne Rooney and the young James Wilson.

It might be a bit doom and gloom at Old Trafford this week, but it's worth remembering that Van Gaal's side have only suffered two defeats in their last 16 Premier League games. So, it's not too shabby!

Right, let's hear more from Van Gaal on Van Persie's latest ankle injury: "He is injured, the only injured player that I have. So, we change Carrick for van Persie. He has an ankle problem so I don't think it is heavy, but an ankle problem takes a long time. It's not one or two weeks, but we will have to wait and see."

The Dutchman has suggested that Radamel Falcao could start this weekend: "The possibility is higher of course because when a striker is away another has to play. I never give you any openings [in terms of who will play] so we will have to wait and see."

Tyler Blackett and Reece James recently signed new contracts at the club and Van Gaal has given his reaction: "It is the strategy of the club. When I came here there they told me that they wanted to have more youth academy players in the first-team. Also the rule in the Premier League that you must have a certain amount of players in your own squad is also important. I am happy that we can sign players from our youth academy."

More on the importance of young players: "I believe in players that you have educated in your own youth academy and maybe that's the reason why I'm sitting here."

On United's top-four challenge: "It is our objective to reach the top four, we have talked about that in the start of the job here in Manchester United. It is also a process of three years and when you have asked me at the start of the season that I am at 1 May and still in first four then I should sign for it. We are still in the FA Cup so I am pleased with the results, but I am not pleased with a lot of the performances of my team."

"Our process is continuing and always we are going better. In spite of the many injuries we have had in the first half of the season, we are there. Also in spite of the criticism of our defence, we are there. We are not unhappy, but we could have better results because we are not so much being played off the pitch. We are mostly the better team, but the better team is not always winning."

Van Gaal is not best pleased with reporters asking him about the prospect of not finishing in the top four: "Big disappointment, of course. When you start the season with the objective of finishing in the first four of the league it is your objective and you are occupied with doing that. But we are still there, I don't know why are we talking about it when it is not like that, because we are still there. What is the problem? I don't know why we are continuing to talk about it."

On the importance of beating Sunderland: "It is because of the rat race between five clubs that we have to win, we have to be there. It is not so important now, but at the end of the season. Therefore you have to win your matches because the other clubs are winning their matches."

Right, that's all from Louis van Gaal today. So, what have we learned? Robin van Persie is due to spend some time on the treatment table with an ankle injury, and while Van Gaal is not "unhappy" with the team's progression, he wants his players to improve. He also doesn't see the point of continuing to talk about the prospect of not finishing in the top four as his team are in there at the moment! I'll leave with that, and until next time, goodbye!