Manchester United are reportedly hopeful that Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt could return to the first-team fold this week.
Diallo has been sidelined with an ankle injury that he kept him out of action since he featured in Man United’s FA Cup win over Leicester City on February 7.
Meanwhile, De Ligt has been forced to sit out the last six matches with a foot problem, including both legs of Man United’s Europa League quarter-final triumph against Lyon.
After playing out a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday, Ruben Amorim’s side are now preparing for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against La Liga side Athletic Bilbao.
The Red Devils will hope to enter both legs with as strong a squad as possible, with the Europa League representing their only route to securing European football for next season.
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Diallo, De Ligt set to make injury return
According to Manchester Evening News, Diallo and De Ligt could both return to the first team this week, although they are unlikely to be ready for Thursday’s first leg in Spain.
The report suggests that Diallo and De Ligt could be given valuable game time in Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Amorim is expected to make wholesale changes for the Brentford clash, with the fixture taking place in the middle of the two crucial legs against Athletic.
Diallo and De Ligt could come into Amorim’s thinking for the second leg if they are able to get minutes under their belt on Sunday.
There is also a possibility that Toby Collyer could make his return at some point this week after missing the last six matches.
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Who is on Man United’s injury list?
While Man United could be given an injury boost this week, they are still having to cope without defender Diogo Dalot and forward Joshua Zirkzee.
Dalot and Zirkzee could both miss the rest of the season after sustaining calf and hamstring injuries respectively.
Ayden Heaven has been absent from the last three matchday squads, while fellow defender Lisandro Martinez is a long-term injury absentee.
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