Manchester United's manager Louis Van Gaal applauds after their English Premier League soccer match against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England January 1, 2015.
Manchester United's manager Louis Van Gaal REUTERS/Darren Staples

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be having a relatively healthier selection on Saturday (AEST), as his side face Cambridge United in the round-of-sixteen of the FA Cup.

The Dutchman revealed that his options at the center of defense are rather limited with Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans on the sidelines, joining winger Ashley Young.

Striker Robin van Persie will be available after sitting out the Red Devils’ recent Premier League fixture against the Queens Park Rangers, while Luke Shaw, who is seemingly starting to win his boss’ trust, may also feature.

"We have to wait until training but Ashley Young, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are out for sure," Van Gaal told ManUtd.com.

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Reports have been circulating that January signing Victor Valdes, whom Van Gaal once gave the break of his playing career at FC Barcelona, will be the last-line of defense in lieu of fellow Spaniard David de Gea, but the 63-year-old brushed off such speculation.

"I find it unbelievable how the media can write that. I don't want to say anything about my line-up until just before the game," he added.

Meanwhile, Van Gaal urged his charges to get rid of complacency come game time, as such is a usual tendency in facing smaller sides.

“It’s always tough to play against weaker teams because in the players’ minds, it is a weaker team,” van Gaal explained.

“For example, on Wednesday, PSV Eindhoven – who are no.1 in the league in the Netherlands – lost against no.3 of the second division. It shall happen also in the FA Cup. There are always surprises and I hope we are not the surprise.”

“When you see Cambridge and when you analyse Cambridge, they play very direct with long balls. They have five or six players who are taller than 1 metre 90 so for us it will be difficult to defend against. That is why you have to prepare yourself very good. It is not so easy to beat Cambridge United.”

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To contact author of this article, email m.eubank@ibtimes.com.au.