Not involved in European competition and knocked out of the League Cup, Manchester United are considering playing midweek friendlies abroad to help manager Louis van Gaal prepare for Premier League matches.

Van Gaal has used an astonishing 29 different players in the club’s opening six league games of the season but a potential lack of competitive matches to keep a large squad match fit is causing concern.

United beat Real Madrid 3-1 in a friendly in Michigan on their pre-season tour of the United States and the club’s managing director Richard Arnold thinks Van Gaal would be happy to play more such games.

“We have a fantastic partnership in terms of our work off the pitch and I’m very appreciative of the support we have had from him,” Arnold said.

“For many years of our international tours, there is a plan to ensure we get that team-building that goes together with getting the team all together in one place.

“That’s something that’s being looked at.”

Injuries and a number of transfers in and out of Old Trafford have contributed to the high number of players used but the meticulous Dutchman will be praying for more consistency of selection as he attempts to rebuild the team.

He will be without his captain Wayne Rooney for the next three games following the England’s forward’s red card against West Ham and Juan Mata is likely to be restored to the playmaking role behind the two strikers.

United’s defensive problems could be eased by the return of Phil Jones for Sunday’s game against Everton.