Louis van Gaal has insisted Memphis Depay is not struggling because of the pressure of wearing Manchester United's iconic No. 7 shirt and the comparisons with Old Trafford greats like Cristiano Ronaldo it brings.

Depay, who joined from PSV Eindhoven in the summer for £25 million, has lost his place and has only started one of United's last six games.

The former Premier League champions' No. 7 shirt has been graced by George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Ronaldo, but in recent years Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia and Angel Di Maria have endured more mixed fortunes after they were granted the number.

But Van Gaal does not believe that is Depay's problem, saying in a news conference on Friday: "I don't think [that]. I do think the media is making that of it. But I am not superstitious and he is certainly not superstitious so I don't think that when he gets the question about Ronaldo that he will answer that. And then he doesn't know what the risk is to answer that question."

Depay was the top scorer in the Dutch league last season but has only mustered one Premier League goal this season and Van Gaal admitted he expected more from the 21-year-old.

"Of course, because otherwise he was still in the team," he added. "Otherwise I don't look for another solution and I look for another solution in my team and I have kept Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira for example for that option so and now he has to fight back and he does it, so I am satisfied."

Memphis Depay has not flourished in the United No. 7 shirt this season. VI Images via Getty Images

United go to Watford on Saturday without six injured or ill players but Van Gaal had some positive news about two of them.

The United manager said that Michael Carrick did not suffer ligament damage when he was injured playing for England against Spain. "Twisted ankle," he explained. "All simple."

Anthony Martial left Wembley on crutches after France's 2-0 defeat to England and Van Gaal said his injury was a bruised foot.

But Marouane Fellaini has his second calf injury of the season and could be out for rather longer.

"That is for me a big surprise because I thought Fellaini is recovered after the international break," Van Gaal said. "You cannot say he shall come back after two or three weeks."