Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has been dealt another injury blow after a scan revealed midfielder Ander Herrera sustained a fractured rib against West Ham at the weekend.

The 25-year-old Spaniard, a £28.8million (Dh174m) signing in the summer from Athletic Bilbao, has been an important member of Van Gaal’s side and becomes the 10th player in the United squad to be injured.

Herrera, who is facing several weeks on the sidelines, was substituted in the 74th minute of the 2-1 win against the Hammers after suffering the injury.

Meanwhile, United’s managing director Richard Arnold yesterday revealed the club are considering playing lucrative midweek friendlies in a bid to soften the financial blow of missing out on the Champions League this season.

The club reported a record annual revenue of £433.2m (Dh2.59bn) for the financial year 2013-2014, and profits of £23.8m (Dh136.9m). But not being in a European competition this year could affect that revenue by around 10 per cent.