Manchester United have suffered a massive injury blow after Louis van Gaal confirmed the defender duo of Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are not fit for the weekend clash.

The 20-times English champions take on Liverpool as they travel to Anfield for the crucial match of the season. The Dutchman confirmed the Argentine international and the former Southampton left-back are not fit to start, but could make the bench on Sunday.

“Louis van Gaal tells #MUTV that Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw are not fit enough to start for #mufc at Anfield but may be on the bench,” United tweeted.

Louis van Gaal tells #MUTV that Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw are not fit enough to start for #mufc at Anfield but may be on the bench.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 20, 2015

Robin van Persie has not featured for United since their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Swansea City away from home. The former Netherlands manager claims his compatriot has started recovering from injury, but will not feature against Liverpool.

“Van Gaal also tells #MUTV that Robin van Persie has started doing some running as his recovery work continues. #mufc,” United said.

Van Gaal also tells #MUTV that Robin van Persie has started doing some running as his recovery work continues. #mufc

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 20, 2015

Meanwhile, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge claims Brendan Rodgers’ side will treat the big clash between the Reds and the Old Trafford club as another game where the Merseyside club will be looking to clinch three points.

“It’s a rivalry, but it’s another three points and we’ll just approach the game as we always do. We’ll go into this game with the right mentality, we’ll play our football and to try to win the game,” the England international said.

“That’s the most important thing – to play our football. If we do that then hopefully everything will take care of itself.”

Both clubs are in the race to finish the season in top four and qualify for the next season’s Champions League. A win for either clubs over the weekend will be crucial in the race to qualify for the Europe’s elite club competition.