Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has received more positive news on the injury side ahead of the return of league football, as five players are back in training with “The Red Devils”.
The 20-time English champions are back in action away to Nottingham Forest next Tuesday, aiming to build on a positive month of March that earned them two nominations for this month’s Premier League awards.
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Strong month of March despite injuries
Manchester United picked up four points from a possible six this month – with a 1-1 draw with Arsenal and a comfortable 3-0 win over Leicester City – as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
They managed to do so despite a challenging injury situation, but it was recently reported that the club was hoping to get up to seven players back for the game against Nottingham Forest.
Now, more returns have been confirmed, as United announced on Friday that five players are back in full training with the team – three defenders and two goalkeepers.
Five players left – including rarely seen star
Among those back on the training ground in Carrington is Luke Shaw, who has been out since December with a calf injury and has only played three games this season. Now he can finally be ready for his first game in 2025.
Harry Maguire was also back in training after his own calf injury. The former Leicester player has missed United’s last four games and was also excluded from England’s squad – although Thomas Tuchel suggested there were also tactical reasons behind it.
In addition, Leny Yoro is back after a small foot injury, which kept him out of the last two games before the international break.
Finally, reserve goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton are also returning from injury and could be available against Forest – but André Onana remains Amorim’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.
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Still some absences
Even if the five returns are on the way back, United are still likely to be missing four (possibly five) players against Nottingham Forest:
- Lisandro Martínez (knee) and Amad Diallo (ankle) are out for the long term.
- Jonny Evans is struggling with a back injury.
- Kobbie Mainoo is not expected back for at least two weeks.
There was also concern for Ayden Heaven after he was injured against Leicester, but it appears that he has avoided a serious injury and could be back in training within a week.
On another positive note, Patrick Dorgu is available again in the league after completing a third-leg suspension following his red card against Ipswich Town.
Important match before Manchester derby
United travel to the City Ground on Tuesday as 13th in the Premier League table. Their next game after Forest is no less than bitter rivals Manchester City – April 6.
