MANCHESTER UNITED DEFENDER Matteo Darmian has been taken to hospital with a suspected rib injury after “spitting blood” on the pitch during the 1-0 defeat to Southampton.
Charlie Austin headed home an 87th minute winner as United’s inconsistent season continued with another disappointing defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Their misery was compounded by the injury to Darmian, who was replaced by Paddy McNair in the 60th minute.
Van Gaal said after the game: “He was spitting blood on the pitch so he has gone to the hospital and we have to wait and see what happened.
“All I can say is that’s the fifth full-back we have lost. It is probably one rib and also the chest, there is something wrong.”
Darmian’s injury leaves United desperately short of defensive cover, with Ashley Young out for two months with a groin injury and Luke Shaw still recovering from a broken ankle.
The result leaves Van Gaal’s side in fifth place in the Premier League table, five points adrift of Tottenham, who sit in fourth.
