Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has confirmed that defender Phil Jones will be in the squad for the clash against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League tonight, though Memphis Depay remains unavailable with injury.
The Red Devils play their fourth match of the group stage at home tonight, with the Dutch manager stressing the need for his team to secure a win.
And Van Gaal will be happy to have a rejuvenated defensive line-up at his disposal with Jones, who missed Saturday's draw against Crystal Palace with fitness issues, returning to the fold in place of youngster Axel Tuanzebe.
"Phil Jones has replaced him [Tuanzebe] and Phil Jones is returning in the selection, so my preference is for Phil Jones", Van Gaal told his club's official website.
Van Gaal's new acquisition, Depay, though remains unavailable along with other injury absentees Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw.
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Depay has in fact been excluded from the Netherlands national squad, a fact that Van Gaal insists is due to his lack of form rather than his issues with fitness.
"Every player needs a boost when he is out of the team and Memphis is not an exception.
"The consequence of not being in the national selection is because he is not playing that well. It is always the same – a player always has to perform well, otherwise there will be other players compared and the coach will make a choice."
Morgan Schneiderlin, who missed out Monday's training due to personal reasons could though be in contention for tonight's match.
"He [Morgan] had private reasons to be excused and I accepted his reasons", Van Gaal added.
