Injury Update : Ander Herrera assures Manchester United fans injury is not long-term

Ander Herrera missed Manchester United's draw at Aston Villa with a muscle injury but is confident he will not be sidelined for long as the Red Devils enter their busiest period of the season.

Herrera, who has only begun one of United's last nine games, has lost his placed in Louis van Gaal's team after a promising start to his career at Old Trafford.

But the 28.8 million-pound midfielder is optimistic he will soon be back in contention as United face a busy fixture list over the Christmas period.

Herrera wrote on Instagram: "Well done mates! One more point to keep us in the top positions. I can't be with the team today due to a little injury, but I will be ready again soon. Cheers to everyone!"

Herrera is one of several of United's big summer signings to endure injury problems this season.

The 25-year-old had already spent two spells on the sidelines this season and played in a corset against West Brom after suffering a cracked rib.

Since then, he has been displaced in the side by Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick, with his only start since October coming against Stoke when Angel Di Maria was also injured.

Herrera's latest problem means United are approaching 50 injuries for the season although, with Di Maria making his comeback as a substitute at Villa Park, they only have Herrera, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo out.
United host Newcastle on Boxing Day before travelling to Tottenham on Sunday. They then begin 2015 away at Stoke and visit League One Yeovil in the FA Cup.