Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will have to reshuffle his defence for Saturday’s game at Chelsea after he revealed four of his first-team squad have been ruled out through injury.

United can move within five points of the Barclays Premier League leaders with victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

But their chances of winning have been harmed after Van Gaal revealed that Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Michael Carrick will all be missing for the game in London.

With Jonny Evans still suspended, that leaves the United manager with Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett as the only available centre-halves.

“It is the worst scenario,” Van Gaal told a news conference. “Marcos and Phil can both play left central defender and Jonny Evans is also suspended so I do not have many choices. Daley Blind and Michael Carrick could play as a holding midfield player and I do not have another option. It is a puzzle.”