Manchester United 'Freak' Injury Problems: Jonny Evans at a Loss to Explain Club's Woes

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans insists no one is to blame for United's "freak" injury woes as he edges closer to a return.

United manager Louis van Gaal's defensive options have been decimated by injury this season with Evans, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Rafael da Silva all missing games throughout November.

Both Jones and Evans have been limited to just four appearances this term, with Rafael making just six. Rojo, the only member of United's backline consistently available to Van Gaal during the opening months of the season joined them in the treatment room after dislocating his shoulder against Manchester City.

Paddy McNair was another absentee in October, while both Tyler Blackett and Chris Smalling have been unavailable at different stages after picking up red cards.

While Evans could make his return on Saturday 29 November against Hull City, after completing an hour for the club's under-21 ranks, he admits United have been helpless to prevent the spate of injury problems that have undermined their first four months of the season.

"Players don't get injured on purpose," Evans told the club's official website. "There have been injuries with the odd hamstring or groin, there have been quite a few of those, but Rojo dislocated his shoulder and I had a fracture in my foot. There were a couple of other injuries – Phil Jones has got one that came out of the blue.

"It's hard to say – we don't want any more injuries but what can we do about it? They're freak injuries and it's difficult from that point of view. It'd be nice to get settled in the team – everyone in the squad wants to get settled in their position as well."

Evans hasn't featured for the first team since suffering a broken foot in the 5-3 defeat to Leicester City in September, but came through unscathed as United's Under-21 side cruised to a 5-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in the Lancashire Senior Cup on Tuesday 25 November.

Evans said: "I didn't expect to be out this long so I'm pleased to get some minutes. I thought the lads played well and it was an enjoyable game to be part of.

"I think the manager will have to assess that [a return to the first team] and also the fitness coaches. I've been training for a week or two now but it's taking me time to get my fitness up as I've been out so long."