Manchester United vs Arsenal: LVG hopeful of David de Gea's availability for Gunners visit as Smalling remains a doubt

Manchester United have been handed a massive boost after Louis van Gaal revealed that David de Gea has a good chance of facing Arsenal after recovering from a knee injury he suffered during training ahead of their first-leg clash against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on 18 February. The Spanish goalkeeper has missed three games since, and despite Sergio Romero performing well in his absence, the manager will be keen to have him for the clash against the Gunners on Sunday (28 February).

The former Atletico Madrid star has been one of the key performers for United this season, and his presence in goal will be a massive boost as the Red Devils chase a place in the Premier League top four. They are currently in fifth place, six points behind Manchester City, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

The Dutch manager, however, is sweating over the fitness of defender Chris Smalling and forward Anthony Martial, who still remain a doubt for the visit of the north London club. The former suffered a shoulder injury during their win over Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup, while the latter withdrew from the squad ahead of their second-leg clash against Midtjylland with a suspected hamstring injury. Van Gaal is unsure if they will make the squad, but will make a late decision with regards to including them in the team for Sunday.

"I expect [David can return] because I saw the way he was today. Chris is a question mark, but you never know," Van Gaal said, as quoted by United's official site.

"I don't know because it has happened before the match [Martial injury]. I've talked with him. I have talked with the physiotherapist that already had control of him. I cannot say, but it is not as heavy as everybody thinks, but you never know."

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager was also delighted to have Marcos Rojo back in the squad following a three-month absence due to a dislocated shoulder. He came on for the last ten minutes during their 5-1 demolition of the Danish club in the Europa League and is certain to play a part during the visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford. Marouane Fellaini and Antonio Valencia are the next two players expected to return, as the injury crisis begins to ease.

"I'm very happy with Marcos that he played 10 or 15 minutes and how he showed already his form and shape, he was very good. But I have to build him up in the games and that's not so easy, because he only had two training sessions with me. On the first day, he was with the second team and, on the second day, he was with us. So I take also a risk to do that, but I think that I have to do that now with 15 minutes and then 30 minutes and like that and I hope we can build him up," Van Gaal explained.

"Valencia is also coming back and Fellaini too — in the month of March, a lot of players are coming back and then we have a strong selection again."