Romelu Lukaku has returned to light training as he races to be fit for the Manchester derby at the Etihad on Sunday.
However, United have a fresh injury concern after Alexis Sanchez sustained a thigh strain in the stunning Champions League win over Juventus in Turin.
Lukaku picked up hamstring injury a week ago and missed the wins over Juve and Bournemouth. United’s £75million striker had already paid the price for scoring just four goals in 14 appearances this season after he was dropped to the bench by Jose Mourinho for the win over Everton.
But Mourinho wants Lukaku’s power against Manchester City in this weekend’s Etihad derby and will wait to see if the big Belgian can prove his fitness over the next 24 hours. He will give an update on the striker’s progress on Friday lunchtime.
Mourinho admitted before the 2-1 win over Juve that he didn’t know if Lukaku would recover in time, but it’s understood the 25-year-old was able to take part in a light workout at Carrington while his teammates were on Champions League duty.
Sanchez has led the line in Lukaku’s absence but may also be a doubt for the derby after suffering a dead leg in Italy.
The Chilean was seen applying ice to his thigh after coming off in the 79th minute and was in some discomfort afterwards.
At least Anthony Martial continues to progress following a turbulent summer that saw him fall out with Mourinho and refuse to sign a new contract.
The forward. 22, is now set to agree a new five-year deal to coincide with his upturn in form, and was recalled to the France squad on Thursday to face Holland and Uruguay this month.