Good morning! Louis van Gaal will be speaking to the media in around 15 minutes as he prepares his side for a tricky trip to face the league leaders at Stamford Bridge this weekend. With Arsenal not in league action this weekend, victory would lift United up to second in the table.

United have looked untouchable in recent weeks, following up wins over Spurs, Liverpool and Aston Villa with a comfortable win in the Manchester derby last time out. It would take a big effort and a spectacular collapse from Chelsea for United to win the title, but it is still a possibility.

Ahead of his press conference, Van Gaal has told the club's TV channel that he will be missing several players for the trip. Michael Carrick, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Daley Blind are all sidelined, while Jonny Evans is still still suspended.

United goalkeeper David de Gea is among those nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award, and captain Wayne Rooney has been leading the congratulations:

Congratulations to @D_DeGea on being nominated for PFA Player of the Year. Well deserved, he's been unbelievable pic.twitter.com/As5GXg7FXn — Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) April 17, 2015

Don't forget, we'll be bringing you live coverage of this match, as well as every other Premier League fixture, from an hour before kickoff, as well as team news, manager reaction and player ratings, plus loads more, so make sure you join us tomorrow to see if United can extend their winning run.

Right then, the manager is ready to speak to reporters, so let's see what he has to say ahead of this weekend's clash...

Speaking about the team's injuries, the manager says: "It's the worst scenario. Marcos and Phil can both play left central defender and Jonny Evans is suspended so I do not have many choices. Daley Blind and Michael Carrick could play holding midfield player and I do not have another option. It is a puzzle."

Van Gaal reveals that the injuries may force Rooney to play in central midfield: "We have four injuries who played in the last match, that is not good for us. I may have to play Wayne Rooney again in that position."

Van Gaal doesn't sound happy that his players picked up so many injuries against Man City: "You have seen the match. You have seen me take Jones and Carrick off. You have seen the tackle by Kompany on Blind."

On the title race, Van Gaal insists: "It is still possible, I have said that before, but it is not logical. It is more when and if and I don't believe in when and if. I believe in facts, and the fact is we are behind Chelsea."

Attention turns to this weekend's match, and Van Gaal reveals: "I think they play at home, I think Chelsea are satisfied with a draw. The question is how long their players can play in discipline. We live for these titles, we work for titles. That is the only satisfaction you have as a manager."

Talking about the importance of young players in his squad, Van Gaal says: "To be involved in the game with young people is also a goal. That is why I am still a manager. You can believe I don't need to work anymore."

Van Gaal is asked about comparisons between his assistant manager, Ryan Giggs, and Mourinho, to which he replies: "Jose was not the world class player Giggs was. Same with me, I was not world class like Cruyff, but maybe because of that our ambition is higher. Giggs is a very hard worked and he reads the game very well, like Jose, but to manager a group you have to learn."

In more positive team news for United, Van Gaal confirms that Luke Shaw could return: "Shaw I think is training for a lot of weeks already so he can play. Van Persie is another story, this is the first week he has trained with us, with the first team, but maybe we have to think about him."

Van Gaal reveals that former Chelsea player Juan Mata is likely to play against his old side: "Normally I always put players in the lineup if they've played for the opponent, so I think Mata shall play."

That's all from Van Gaal this week, but stick around as Jose Mourniho's press conference will get underway shortly. Don't forget to join us again tomorrow afternoon to see if United make it seven wins in a row. Until then, thank for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye!