DI MARIA HUMBLED BY FIFPRO WORLD XI HONOUR

Angel Di Maria says it was “truly humbling” to be voted
into the FIFPro World XI at the Ballon d’Or awards
ceremony earlier this week.

The Argentinian attended the event in Zurich and witnessed
former Real Madrid team-mate and ex-Reds winger
Cristiano Ronaldo collecting the premier prize, but his
inclusion in the World XI, as voted by more than 20,000
professional players, was a huge honour.

“It was a privilege and an honour to be named in the
FIFPro World XI at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich on
Monday,” Di Maria told ManUtd.com. “To be named among
the world’s elite players is truly humbling.

“Since I was a young boy, all I have ever wanted to do is
play football, so to receive awards like this is an added
bonus. It was a great night and I’d like to thank everyone
who voted for me.”

The 26-year-old helped Real Madrid to La Decima (a record
10th success) in the Champions League and starred for
Argentina in the World Cup before his summer move to Old
Trafford and, talking earlier to ManUtd.com , says he wants
to help put United back at the top of the game.
"From the start of the season to now, you can see we've
grown," he says. "We weren't great at the beginning but
we've started getting a few victories under our belts.

“There are some people saying that we're not playing in a
particularly good style or that it's not the old Manchester
United - but it's not. We're beginning something new here.

We've got a new style, we've got a new manager and
we're all working hard to make sure we're putting
Manchester United back where it belongs."

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR ROONEY

Manchester United’s Player and Goal of the Month winner for
December, Wayne Rooney, has told ManUtd.com he was
pleased with his contribution over the festive period and
hopes to maintain his good form as the Reds look to go on
another unbeaten run…

Congratulations on your two awards, Wayne. How do you
look back on your form in December, which included a
number of goals and assists?
It’s always a tough month, December, and, as a player and
a team, you have to dig in because it’s physically
demanding. I thought we did well as a team and I scored a
few goals from my role in midfield. It’s always great to get
on the scoresheet and to create a few goals was also nice.

December is always a testing time but is it a period you
enjoy when there are games every few days?
Not every two days no! [Laughs]. Of course, it’s great to play
games and it’s great for the fans over the Christmas period
to be able to go and watch their team play. As I said, it’s
physically demanding so the recovery we do is always the
most important thing to make sure we’re right and ready for
the next match.

The manager played you in midfield for the majority of
the matches – how much have you enjoyed being in a role
where you’re in amongst everything from the first whistle to
the last?
It’s different obviously but it’s a role that the manager has
given me and it’s one that also gives me license to get
forward. You have to make sure you do your defensive
duties as well because it’s an important position on the
pitch. I’ve tried to do that the best I can. Hopefully, I can
keep doing that and keep learning and improving.

Carrick To Make Under 21 Come Back

Michael Carrick could make his return to action
as an over-aged player in next Friday's
Barclays Under-21 Premier League clash
against West Ham.

The experienced midfielder is in line to possibly
face his former club in the live MUTV clash,
particularly if he does not make the bench at
West Brom, as he bids to prove his fitness after
being sidelined since the close season with an
ankle injury.

"He also needs match rhythm and, until now,
he has not played a match so we have to give
him a chance to play a match," Louis van Gaal
revealed to MUTV. "Maybe next Friday with the
second squad.

"Maybe we'll use him on the bench [on
Monday] but I don't know."

The fixture for Warren Joyce's side will be
played at Rush Green sports ground with a
19:00 BST kick-off.

Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Ander Herrera is
scheduled to play in a specially-designed
corset against West Brom as he strives to
protect the fractured rib he suffered against
West Ham.

"Herrera is a fit player and he only had a rib
fracture so we can play him with a corset,"
confirmed van Gaal. "Then he can play. But, of
course, I have to select him first."

Van Gaal: Herrera Could Wear Corset Against Westbrom

Ander Herrera could be
forced to wear a chest brace
when Manchester United
face West Brom on Monday.

The midfielder fractured a rib
against Everton on October 5, with an initial prognosis
of three weeks on the sidelines being diagnosed.

But Herrera has been passed fit to play on Monday,
though manager Louis van Gaal has not confirmed he
will select the Spaniard.

"Herrera is a fit player and he only had a rib fracture,
so we can play him with a corset," Van Gaal told
reporters.

"Then he can play. But, of course, I have to select him
first."

Elsewhere, fellow midfielder Michael Carrick is back
in contention after recovering from ankle surgery, but
Van Gaal is way of rushing him back into first-team
action.

He continued: "[Carrick] needs match rhythm and,
until now, he has not played a match so we have to
give him a chance to play a match.

"Maybe next Friday with the second squad [against
West Ham]. Maybe we'll use him on the bench [on
Monday] but I don't know."

Polls Back United To Pick Up Points

Manchester United fans are backing Louis van
Gaal’s men to stride confidently into the most
testing run of games so far this season and
emerge with a healthy number of points.

Monday’s match against West Bromwich Albion
kicks off a five-match run which also takes in
tests against Chelsea, Manchester City, Crystal
Palace and Arsenal, so we asked ManUtd.com
readers how many points they expect van
Gaal’s side to pick up during this spell.

With 15 points on offer and the challenge of
facing three recognised rivals, it’s a crucial
period in assessing the progress of the
Dutchman’s side.

After back-to-back victories over West Ham
and Everton took United into the league's top
four for the first time in almost 14 months,
there is a growing sense of optimism as the
Reds head back to action following the recent
international break.

An overwhelming majority – 85 per cent of the
fans who took our poll – believe United will
claim nine or more points from the 15 available
in those five matches. From that cross-
section, more than a quarter of supporters
reckon the Reds will take 13 points or more,
while the vast majority opted for the 9-12
points category.

Only one per cent of voters pessimistically
claimed the Reds would notch five points or
fewer, but far more supporters seem to be
relishing the tests that the next few weeks will
bring.

Below is the Poll result:

13 – 15 points – 27%
9 – 12 points – 58%
6 – 8 points – 14%
5 points or fewer – 1%

Van Gaal Calls For Balance

Manchester United boss
Louis van Gaal wants to see
an improvement in the
balance of his side, insisting
that it is not enough to only
produce "spectacular
attacking football".

The signings of the likes of Angel Di Maria and
Radamel Falcao have whipped up excitement about
the Red Devils' forward options, with the Premier
League giants having won three of four league games
since the close of the transfer window.

But Van Gaal believes that there is a lot more work to
do in finding the right overall structure for the team.

He told reporters: "We need more balance, I said that
after the Everton match. I'm looking for balance in the
team, not just spectacular attacking football.

"When you lose the ball, you must have a shape as a
team and then you can defend more easily. You can
kill the game better.

"I have confidence in my players and I think that is
very important but it is much more important that the
players have confidence in the manager and his
staff," he continued.

"Of course, like I have already said, we could have
done better because I don't think that we are in
balance now. I am sorry to say that but it is the truth.
We are moving forward in training sessions, though,
and evaluating those sessions. I hope that we shall
improve."

The squad look ready enough to work to make the
necessary changes, with defender Marcos Rojo
posting a picture of himself and striker Falcao during
training.

Reds Raring To Go

Louis van Gaal's squad reassembled at the
Aon Training Complex on Friday to begin
preparations for the resumption of the Barclays
Premier League, with a trip to West Bromwich
Albion on Monday.
The Dutchman put his players through their
paces on Friday morning and the club's official
photographers were there to capture it all.

Most notably, Michael Carrick took part in the
session as he looks to complete his recovery
from an ankle injury that has kept him out of
action so far this season, while Ander Herrera,
Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also took part in
training.