Manchester United injury news: Matteo Darmian confirms he is 'fine' after injury scare against Southampton

Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian has confirmed that he is fine after being admitted to hospital following a collision with Shane Long in United's 1-0 loss to Southampton at Old Trafford. The defender was replaced by Paddy McNair in the 60th minute, leaving the Red Devils with an injury crisis in the full-back position.

Darmian's condition was believed to be serious following the accident but the recent revelation will bring peace to the mind of Louis van Gaal, who is without five players who can play on either side of the centre-backs. Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are all out injured. Their absence has led the backline to be ostensibly porous over the past couple of months.

Darmian, who signed from Torino last summer, took to Twitter to confirm that he is fine and revealed that he will be back with the first team soon. The defender was spitting blood after the incident and his recovery will be a timely boost for Van Gaal who is set to add at least another defender in the January transfer window.

"Thank you all for the support, i'm fine! See you soon #MUFC @ManUtd," Darmian said on Twitter.

The Red Devils lost to a Charlie Austin winner in the second half and Van Gaal stated that Darmian's injury was the turning point in the game. The loss was a massive blow to their top four hopes, with Tottenham's win taking them five points clear of the Red Devils, who came into the game on the back of a morale boosting win over Liverpool at Anfield.

"Yes [the injury to Darmian was a turning point]," the United boss said after the game. "In the second half we started very well and the crowd was behind the players but then the injury of Darmian was not very nice to see that. That plays a role but it is no excuse.

"Darmian is the fifth full back who is injured so that is also a problem but also I knew in advance that the opponent shall play in that system [3-5-2]. When we play 4-3-3 it is very difficult to beat them because in transitions they have a lot of pace and also a lot of chances.

"Yes but with Darmian that was already the case [wanting to sign a full back in January]. We have to wait and see. We have to wait and see [on Darmian] he is in hospital but it is not very nice I can assure you."