Manchester United injury news: Marcos Rojo and Jesse Lingard out for Leicester clash

Manchester United are set to be without Marcos Rojo and Jesse Lingard for their top-of-the-table clash against Leicester City this weekend, with the former sidelined through injury while the latter is believed to have picked up a hamstring problem. The Red Devils are already without five players for the game, with Michael Carrick, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera all unavailable, which may force Louis van Gaal to adopt a different strategy.

The Manchester Evening News reports that the manager may switch to a back three or move Daley Blind to left back, giving Paddy McNair his first start of the season. The Red Devils have an opportunity to claim pole position with a win over the high-flying Canaries, who have been in brilliant form over the course of the season.

Lingard has carved a niche for himself in the team, scoring the opener against West Bromwich Albion a few weeks back to break the deadlock that led them to secure a crucial victory in the race for the title. Rojo has also been a dependable replacement for Shaw, who is out for what is believed to be the rest of the season with a double fracture in his right leg.

Van Gaal will be buoyed by the return to first team action for Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial, who both started in their Champions League game in mid-week against PSV Eindoven. The duo played the entire ninety minutes but the Dutchman will be looking for more end product from their star forwards, who have been a bit underwhelming in the past few weeks.

Martial's form has tapered off after a brilliant start to the campaign, while Rooney has managed only two goals in 11 appearances thus far in the league. The England international was used in midfield against PSV but is likely to be brought forward to compensate for the loss of Lingard. Juan Mata is another player who served off the bench in mid-week and can be given a first team berth in view of recent developments.