Danny Welbeck Joins Growing Manchester United Injury List Ahead Of Premier League Opener

Danny Welbeck has become the latest addition to Manchester United's growing absentee list ahead of the opening Premier League game against Swansea City.

Speaking at his first league match press conference, manager Louis van Gaal said Welbeck was now unavailable for United's opening Premier League match, adding his name to an injury list which includes Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans, Michael Carrick, Danny Welbeck, and Sam Johnstone.

The Dutchman also said Netherlands striker van Persie was not yet match fit after his World Cup exertions, opening the door for unsettled striker Javier Hernandez to start. Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj are meanwhile unlikely to feature after each playing just 14 minutes for United during pre-season.

In the wake of reports that substitute goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard was heading for the Old Trafford exit, Van Gaal also revealed that reserve goalkeeperJohnstone is also injured.

"Sam Johnstone - the goalkeeper. Antonio Valencia, Shaw and Evans - three defenders. Welbeck. I believe that is it. Van Persie has no chance. He has to train," he said.

The United boss said Shaw's month-long lay off could be down to the left back's participation at the World Cup for England, where he played a full 90 minutes against Costa Rica.

"We have analysed Shaw and it is difficult to lay a finger on it. It is difficult to look for the solution but there are a lot of reasons.

"After the World Cup, all the players are coming back at different moments and it is very difficult to train. We have the travel, jet-lag and a lot of matches in 14 days. Another reason is the amount of training sessions but we are doing half of what we have done with the other clubs."

Despite United's injury set backs, Van Gaal remains believes he has enough strength in depth to cope without key players.

"We have played in the US with Reece James and Ashley Young in that position [at full back], so it is well covered," he added. "I am not worried. I am not nervous. We have players injured and not injured. Tomorrow is the match that counts."