Matteo Darmian injury: 'It is bad because he is now in hospital. He was spitting blood,' says Louis van Gaal

Darmian is the fifth United full-back to pick up an injury

Matteo Darmian is clapped off after suffering injury against Southampton (Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has spoken about the injury picked by Matteo Darmian, after the Italian full-back was taken to hospital following a collision with Shane Long during United's 1-0 defeat by Southampton.

"It is bad because he is now in hospital," Van Gaal said after the game. "He was spitting blood. It looks like his rib and his chest, but we have to wait and see as I cannot say. It was not a nice view for the players to see that.

"I can only say that is the fifth full back who has been injured so that is what I have to do every week - make solutions to sort the problem."

Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia have all been forced to undergo surgery.


 Darmian was able to wave to the fans as he left the pitch
 (Getty Images)

United fans vented their anger towards Louis van Gaal after watching their team slump to a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

Van Gaal's claim last week that United were still in the hunt for the title now seems pure fantasy.

The 64-year-old observed his team slip five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and 10 points adrift of leaders Leicester thanks to Charlie Austin's 87th-minute winner on his Saints debut.

United supporters booed their team off at half-time and following the conclusion of the game. The United fans have largely backed Van Gaal during matches, but the Dutchman was heckled like never before as he walked down the tunnel following Saturday's damaging defeat.

Van Gaal admitted after the final whistle that fans' support for him had sunk to an all-time low.

"Yes, because it was very clear," the United manager said when asked if it was the worst reaction he had heard to a result during his time in charge at Old Trafford.

"I can understand also because I have seen also a poor match.

"I cannot change that feeling. I can only work hard with my players to improve our game.

"I am disappointed. We have to change this. That is my job and not an easy job at the moment."