Manchester United injury news: Antonio Valencia a doubt for Middlesbrough clash after picking up foot injury

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Antonio Valencia sustained a foot injury in the goalless draw with Manchester City. The Ecuador international picked up the knock in the first half but carried on playing until the 81st minute before he was replaced by Matteo Darmian at right-back.

Van Gaal did not specify how serious Valencia's injury was, but the full-back could well sit out the Capital One Cup clash against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on 28 October. "He had a kick on his foot in the first half and then I let Darmian warm up on the touchline," Van Gaal told MUTVafter the final whistle. "But then he played further. However, at the end, he could not continue."

'Tactical game'

Van Gaal was pleased with United's performance in the derby and felt the Red Devils deserved to win on the balance of play. "I am very proud of my players because I think we played 90 minutes of a tough game. Both sides played a very tactical game," he told MUTV.

"We created more chances but we didn't finish them and that is the disappointment because you must win these kinds of games for the fans. It is the derby and when you are so focused and so concentrated like we were today then, yeah, you deserve to win. But sometimes you don't get what you deserve."

The hugely awaited encounter between the Manchester rivals was not the spectacle that many had expected, with both teams registering just a single shot on target each over 90 minutes. Van Gaal said City's defensive formation and tactics made it difficult for his team to create opportunities in front of goal.

"We didn't create so many chances because it was difficult with how they played. They were so organised and played on the counter attack," he explained. "It was the same in the game against [CSKA] Moscow, but it says something about the strength of Manchester United."