Romero remains in United goal
Sergio Romero will continue in goal for Manchester United's home game against Newcastle because David de Gea is still unable to focus following Real Madrid's interest in him, according to Louis van Gaal.
The United manager remains without centre-back Phil Jones (mild thrombosis) and defender Marcos Rojo is unlikely to feature as he lacks match sharpness.
Van Gaal is considering handing Bastian Schweinsteiger his first start, but fellow midfielder Marouane Fellaini is suspended.
Van Gaal has backed Ed Woodward to bring to the best players in the world to Old Trafford despite recent criticism of the United executive vice-chairman.
Woodward has enjoyed a number of hits in the transfer market this summer, most notably in the capture of Memphis Depay - who was wanted by Paris St Germain - and the signing of former Bayern Munich star Schweinsteiger.
But the failure to tempt Sergio Ramos to swap Real Madrid for United prompted criticism.
And that criticism continued when former target Pedro signed for Chelsea, rather than United, on Thursday.
Despite the events of the last couple of weeks, there is no sign of a rift between Van Gaal and Woodward.
"I have the idea you want to separate Ed Woodward with me. Never. Never," the United boss said in a spiky press conference.
"Because every day I am updated by him and I trust him.
"I don't think they (the critics) have to doubt Ed Woodward because he has proven already for many, many years he is the right person on the right spot."
United were aware for some time that Pedro wanted to leave Barcelona after becoming frustrated by a lack of first-team football.
It was reported that Woodward flew into Barcelona on Monday in an attempt to finalise a deal for the 28-year-old, who had a buy-out clause of 30 million euros (B#21.5million) written into his contract.
But three days later, the World Cup winner signed for Chelsea.
Senior sources at Old Trafford insisted this week that it was Van Gaal, not Pedro, who pulled the plug on United's pursuit of the forward and the United boss seemed to corroborate that idea on Friday.
"I think when we want Pedro it was not any problem because there was a clause in his contract," Van Gaal said.
"It was the easiest transfer. I have said before what we are doing is guiding a process and in that process we make decisions."
New signing Florian Thauvin goes straight into the squad for Newcastle.
The 22-year-old former Marseille winger is included just days after completing his switch to Tyneside, and he could yet be joined by fellow midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who is recovering well from the groin problem which forced his premature withdrawal at Swansea last weekend, but remains a doubt.
Holland midfielder Siem de Jong is back in training after a shin injury, as is defender Paul Dummett, who is yet to feature this season because of a hamstring problem, but full-back Daryl Janmaat is suspended following his sending-off at the Liberty Stadium.
Head coach Steve McClaren has revealed that Thauvin is likely to be the club's last summer signing.
He said: "I'm very pleased with what we have got, very pleased. I think that's it for now - but how many times have you heard, 'That's it for now' with 10 days to go of the window?"
Source: PAR
