Louis van Gaal explains Luke Shaw and Phil Jones absence in Manchester United vs Sunderland

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Victor Valdes picked up late fitness concerns which forced them out of the Premier League win over Sunderland.

The trio were all absent from the United squad for the 2-0 victory at Old Trafford despite van Gaal reporting that Robin van Persie was the only absentee ahead of the final third of the campaign.

But the former Netherlands coach has been forced to confirm all three players were suffering with injury and illness respectively which sees United's injury problems take another turn for the worse.

"Shaw had a tight hamstring and Jones was ill," van Gaal said. "I cannot put players who are ill and tired in my line-up."

He added to MUTV: "Victor Valdes also has a problem and wasn't on the bench. I had to make three changes during our final day of preparation."

United have suffered from an injury crisis throughout the season, with every first team player spending at least part of the season out with a fitness worry.

Recent weeks had seen several long-term absentees return, including winger Ashley Young, but three more additions to the United treatment table sees the club's dismal luck with injuries continue.

Angel di Maria is however not the latest addition to United's injury problems after van Gaal confirmed his half-time withdrawal against Sunderland was down to his poor performance in the first 45 minutes.

The British record-signing was replaced by Adnan Januzaj at the break but van Gaal insists the move was motivated the Argentine's failure to make an impact on the game.

"When a player isn't in a game, I have to make a change," he added. "I'm the manager and I can't deny what I see on the pitch. We were better in the second half, so I cannot say it was the wrong decision.

"We have to give Angel more time to adapt to the Premier League; it's not so easy with the high tempo. I want to give him time, but it's also not easy to change a player of his quality."