Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed that the injured trio of Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia are gradually coming back.
Fellaini has been missing from action for Manchester United's last three domestic fixtures against Sunderland, Arsenal and Watford due to a hamstring injury, but has now recovered fitness, though his manager insists that the player might have to prove himself by playing for the reserves.
Jones, who has missed most of the season with injury and had his league appearances restricted to just ten, is another player that is returning to the first team scene.
Makeshift right-back Valencia, who has been a long term absentee for the Red Devils having been sidelined since late October after undergoing ankle surgery, is also coming back.
The veteran Dutch manager insists that given the kind of intensity that Premier League has to offer it will be difficult for the returning players to burst onto the scene.
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And if he is not forced, as he was in the case of Marcos Rojo, he would prefer not to risk his returning players before they play in the reserves.
"They are coming back, but normally they cannot play a match because the rhythm of the game is much higher", Van Gaal told MUTV.
"So, we have to train more and let them play in the second team.
"Maybe because I’m forced because of the circumstances to take a risk, like I have done with Marcos Rojo, but when I’m not forced to then I shall not do that."
