Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted that midfielder Daley Blind will not be handed a role in defence against West Ham United tomorrow, despite the club's growing injury list.

The Dutchman is expected to turn to youth players for Saturday's encounter due to injuries to Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Left-footed Blind has played as a centre-back for the Netherlands and former club Ajax on occasion, but youngsters Tom Thorpe or Patrick McNair could be handed a role at Old Trafford alongside another left-sided player in Marcos Rojo.

"I don't like having too many left-sided defenders or left-footed players in defence," the Manchester Evening News quotes Van Gaal as saying.

"I think always of balance, so I have to pick up a right-sided central defender from the youth education."

United have won just one game in five Premier League encounters so far this season.