Marcos Rojo: Manchester United defender to continue recovery for under-21s against Ajax

Red Devils' ace set to return to first team in the coming weeks

(Getty)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that Marcos Rojo will continue his return to action by playing for the under-21s against Ajax on Thursday.

The Argentina international was ever-present for his country at the Copa America this summer and was therefore allowed an extended period of rest before the new Premier League campaign.

Van Gaal said: "The only way is to play matches in the second team because that is the first step to coming back, so now seven or eight players have to play against Ajax, their second team, on Thursday because they also need to play 90 minutes.

"Rojo shall also play 60 minutes."

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was speaking ahead of United's Champions League qualifier second leg clash against Club Brugge tonight.

The 64-year-old takes his side to the Netherlands holding a 3-1 lead from the first leg after a double from Memphis and a late strike from Marouane Fellaini gave the hosts victory last Tuesday.

Louis van Gaal speaks to the media (Getty)

United have made a decent start to the new Premier League campaign, securing 7 points in three games, but the main objective remains securing their place in the Champions League.

Asked if this is the most important game of his United career, Van Gaal said: "Yes, because it was our aim for the last year to participate in the Champions League and still we are not participating."