File picture of Manchester United’s Dutch manager Louis van Gaal.

The Guardian/San Francisco

Marouane Fellaini is in a fight to regain his Manchester United starting place, Louis van Gaal has warned.
The midfielder is suspended for the opening three matches of the Premier League because of the red card he received at Hull City on the final day of last season. Van Gaal is using the four-match tour of America, United’s only matches before the campaign begins on 8 August, to assess other midfielders. In Friday evening’s 1-0 win over Club America in Seattle Fellaini did not play despite the manager deploying different sides in each half.
“Fellaini is suspended for the first three matches and he has longer to be ready, so I have to look at other players,” Van Gaal said.
Fellaini fought his way into Van Gaal’s strongest XI last season but will have to wait until 30 August to be available for a first outing. That is United’s visit to Swansea City. However as Van Gaal now has many options in midfield the Belgian could face a struggle to play.
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin were bought on Monday to join Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Daley Blind at the club. Against America, Mexico’s most successful team, it was Schneiderlin who particularly impressed.
Fellaini was one of only four players not to feature. David de Gea and Antonio Valencia missed out because of minor injuries, Van Gaal said. Shaun Goss, the youngest player on the trip at 19, might have expected not to play. The Belgian, though, would have.
Instead Fellaini had to watch as Schneiderlin produced an impressive all-round midfield display that included the fifth-minute header that gave United victory.
Van Gaal said: “He scored with Southampton, I believe five goals, so it is not a coincidence but we have practised this with him so I was very pleased with the performance.”
Of United’s other new signings, Schweinsteiger was efficient in the second half while before the break Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian showed promise. The competition Fellaini faces is mirrored around the squad. Although he operated as a No10 against America Depay is a recognised wide forward, an area where Ángel Di María, who is absent due his post-Copa América holiday, likes to play. When Valencia recovers he will compete with Darmian for the right-back position.
Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Tyler Blackett, Paddy McNair and Daley Blind – all of whom featured against America – along with Marcos Rojo, who is also resting following the Copa América, are in a fight for the two centre-back berths.
Blind, who can also play in central midfield or at left-back, may be moved into defence permanently “It could be,” said the manager. “Marcos Rojo is not here. He shall come on 25 July. I want to play always with a left-footed central defender and Blind can do the job. Maybe he shall play there but all the players can play there.”