Manchester United: Louis van Gaal set to ring in changes ahead of West Bromwich Albion clash

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is reportedly set to make as many as five changes to his team for their clash against West Bromwich Albion on 2 May at Old Trafford.

According to the Mirror, the manager was incensed following their loss to Everton at the weekend and supposedly gave the players a piece of his mind at the training ground the following day.

The report claims that Antonio Valencia and Daley Blind bore the brunt of the manager's wrath and were singled out for the 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Merseyside club.

This was United's second consecutive defeat after the loss against Chelsea the previous weekend. The Dutch manager is now ready to ring in changes and axe up to five players ahead of their Saturday encounter at Old Trafford.

Valencia and Blind are believed to be the players first in line to get the axe with Phil Jones and Michael Carrick set to step in if they are fit enough for the clash. The duo had missing the last two games due to separate injury setbacks.

Robin van Persie, who impressed for United's U21 on 28 April, by scoring a brace is likely to step in for Wayne Rooney, who was substituted midway through the game at Goodison Park with a knee injury.

Angel di Maria is another player, who has not got a look into the first-team in recent games and has been on the bench since his sending off during their FA Cup loss against Arsenal.

The Argentine is likely to be recalled to replace Juan Mata, who was also poor against Everton, as the manager looks to give his team a new lease of life ahead of the crucial run-in.

The final change to the side is said to be at the heart of the United defence with Paddy McNair, who has been impressive in both the games that United have lost, to be replaced by the fit again Marcos Rojo.

The Red Devils are in a race to finish second alongside Arsenal and Manchester City, but need just six points from their four remaining games to confirm their place in the top four and gain entry into next season's Champions League.