Man Utd receive huge injury boost as two first-team stars set to return this week

Vishal Bhawani

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Man Utd receive huge injury boost as two first-team stars set to return this week image

Manchester United fans, hold onto your scarves — there’s finally some good news coming out of Carrington.

Just days before the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club, the Red Devils have welcomed back two key players to first-team training: Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt.

It’s been a long road back for both stars. Amad has been sidelined since February with an ankle injury that looked set to end his season.

De Ligt, meanwhile, hasn’t kicked a ball since the start of April due to a foot problem. But on Wednesday morning, both were seen training with the squad — a sight as rare as a clean sheet at Old Trafford these days.

The timing couldn’t be better. United are preparing for their biggest European test of the season, and manager Ruben Amorim is sweating over squad depth.

Injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, and Diogo Dalot have already limited his options. But with De Ligt and Amad back in the mix, there’s fresh hope that the squad can cope with the pressure of San Mames.

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When can Amad and De Ligt return to Man Utd's matchday squad?

Don’t expect the pair to start on Thursday, though. Amorim is known for taking a cautious approach when it comes to injuries — no gung-ho tactics here.

Reports (via official Man Utd website) suggest that while both players trained, they might not make the trip to Bilbao. Instead, they could be eased back into action this weekend, when United face Brentford in the league.

Still, their return is a welcome sight. Amad has nine goals and eight assists this season, while De Ligt has been a rock at the back when fit. Even if they’re only available from the bench, their presence alone could lift the team’s spirits.

And let’s face it — with the Reds chasing European silverware, they’ll need every weapon they’ve got. This squad may be bruised, but it’s far from broken.

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Vishal Bhawani

Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.

Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.