Robin van Persie has been ruled out of the Manchester derby after Louis van Gaal confirmed the striker is not fit enough to feature on Sunday.

Van Persie has returned to full training and said this week he was "able to play again," but the Dutchman will miss a seventh consecutive game with the ankle injury he sustained in February's defeat to Swansea.

Van Gaal, who prefers not to rush players back from injury, has taken the cautious approach and Van Persie's comeback may be against Chelsea next weekend.

"Robin van Persie is not fit enough to play," Van Gaal said in a news conference. "I don't think Luke Shaw is fit enough to play. I cannot say they are not fit but in my opinion they are not fit to play.

"When I am very honest, then I don't have injured players any more. It is unbelievable. It is the first time I can say that. But fit to play, match rhythm: that is a different story."

Van Persie's absence means captain Wayne Rooney is almost certain to carry on as a forward, although Radamel Falcao offers Van Gaal another option.

United are also waiting to see if defenders Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw will be in contention.

Centre-back Smalling missed the 3-1 win over Aston Villa with illness while left-back Shaw has not played since March's FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.