Manchester United Injury News: Louis Van Gaal Confirms Phil Jones Out With Shin Splints

Manchester United have suffered a massive blow after Louis van Gaal confirmed defender Phil Jones picked up another injury, which forced him to miss the Chelsea clash on Sunday.

The 22-year-old returned to the first team during the Red Devils' 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion less than a week ago. He was sidelined with a hamstring injury he picked up while on international duty with England in September.

United avoided defeat as Robin van Persie's stoppage time equaliser saw the match end in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday. The former Netherlands manager said Jones was forced to miss the match with shin splints.

"The match against West Brom was his first after a long injury period. We brought him back and he trained for more than a week with the first team, then had to play 90 minutes," Van Gaal explained.

"Then he had a sore feeling in his shin. On Saturday he could not continue training, even though it was a very light session before the match. He had shin splints, which is very painful. I don't know how long it will take [for him to recover]."

Jones was not the only player to sit out for the Chelsea clash as summer signing Radamel Falcao was also not included in the squad. Earlier, United confirmed the Colombian international was doubtful for Sunday's clash against the Blues.

Van Gaal believes Falcao's injury is not too serious and says he felt the Chelsea tie was too early for the former Atletico Madrid striker.

"Falcao took a kick in training on Thursday and couldn't play because of that. We'll have to wait and see, but I don't think the injury is too bad, today's match came too soon for him," the Dutchman told United's official website.

United will take on their local rival Manchester City at the Etihad in their upcoming league match. The fixture will see Wayne Rooney return to the squad after the England international completed his three-match suspension for the red card he received during the Red Devils' victory over West Ham United.