Manchester United have been dealt a double injury boost, as both Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount are set to make their returns against Burnley on Wednesday.
Fernandes and Mount to Make Manchester United Returns
Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount are set to return to the Manchester United squad against Burnley on Wednesday, having endured spells on the sidelines after suffering with injury.
Fernandes has missed United’s last three games after sustaining a thigh injury in the 2-1 defeat away at Aston Villa last month, while Mount has missed the last two due to a ‘small’ knock.
Since they last featured, the Red Devils have parted ways with Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese coach was dismissed off the back of a 1-1 draw away at Leeds on Sunday, with the club confirming his departure after 14 months at the helm early on Monday morning.
His exit came as he sat atop the Premier League sack race odds market.
Darren Fletcher has been appointed interim manager as Old Trafford chiefs conduct a search for a more permanent option, with Jonny Evans supporting the Scotsman as an assistant.
Wednesday’s trip to Turf Moor will be their first game in charge of the side.
Speaking to the media ahead of the clash, Fletcher confirmed that both Fernandes and Mount are set to return to the squad, having been close to featuring against Leeds at the weekend.
“I think Mason and Bruno, I think they were pushing to play against Leeds,” Fletcher revealed.
“The decision was that they weren’t quite ready, so they’ve trained, so they should be back in the squad. But they’ll be on restricted minutes because they’ve obviously just returned to training.
“So that’s good news, especially the fact that obviously players who have been in good form.
“Mason Mount’s form has been fantastic and Bruno Fernandes, you don’t have to speak about Bruno, he’s the captain, he’s the leader of the team, so to have them available for selection is obviously great news for me and for the players and for the club and for the fans.”
Fletcher also revealed that Kobbie Mainoo has a slight chance of making his return at Burnley.
Mainoo has been out since the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth in mid-December with a thigh issue.
He told members of the media: “Kobbie actually did the part of the session today [Tuesday]. But he’s going to have to be assessed tomorrow, so that was part of the plan.”
It has also been reported that Harry Maguire will make his return to the squad after recovering from a thigh injury. He has been out of action since the Tottenham clash in November.
Matthijs de Ligt Remains Ruled Out
Unfortunately for United fans, central defender Matthijs de Ligt remains out.
Fletcher failed to give an update on the Dutchman’s fitness levels in his pre-match press conference for Burnley, suggesting he is still struggling with injury.
De Ligt has missed United’s last six league matches with a back issue suffered in November.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui are also unavailable due to their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations. All three have advanced to the quarter-finals with their nations.
By the time they return, Amorim’s permanent replacement will likely have been appointed.
Reports suggest former head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to return on a short-term deal until the end of the season. He currently tops the next Manchester United manager odds market.
Solskjaer was spotted in Cheshire – where he lived during his last spell as United boss – on Tuesday, supporting theories that he is set to be appointed as the Red Devils’ new boss.
