Manchester United's season gets worse as £29m Ander Herrera sits out Sunderland clash

OUCH: Herrera the £29m summer signing will have to sit out the natch against Sunderland

Louis van Gaal injury nightmare at Manchester United is getting worse with summer signing Ander Herrera the latest crocked star.

The 25-year-old picked up an ankle injury in training on Thursday which has ruled the £29m summer signing out of tomorrow's clash with Sunderland.

It leaves new United boss Van Gaal with a massive problem in midfield with Marouane Fellaini also out with an ankle problem he suffered this week while Michael Carrick will not be fit until October.

Jesse Lingard also hobbled off with an ankle problem of his own in last weekend's defeat by Swansea.

It means Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley are certain to start in centre midfield with Van Gaal blaming United's summer tour in America for the injury crisis.

Van Gaal said: "Herrera is injured, so I have four midfielders missing - Herrera, Fellaini, Lingard and Carrick."

"So it's a little bit thin in midfield. That is also a problem, but it is very difficult - as I explained last week - it is very difficult when you have a trip to the US, to prepare for the season."

"It is too early to say with Herrera, because it happened on Thursday in training. It is too early to make a scan, it is the same situation as Fellaini."