MANCHESTER UNITED star Mason Mount has returned to training after three months out injured.
The 26-year-old midfielder has not played since the 2-1 derby win over Manchester City on December 15 due to a hamstring tear.
Man Utd welcome Real Sociedad to Old Trafford on Thursday in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie.
The fixture will reportedly come too soon for Mount, but he is nearing a return to fitness.
In another boost for Ruben Amorim, there is hope Manuel Ugarte will be back after he was also spotted in training today.
The midfielder missed the last two matches with a minor problem and the manager admitted he “thinks” he will be fit to face Real Sociedad.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Despite the duo’s much-needed return, Amorim still has an injury crisis to contend with.
In a major blow, centre-backs Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire were not pictured at Carrington today.
They join Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo on the sidelines.
Man Utd will also be without teenage striker Chido Obi as he is not eligible to play in the Europa League.
Most read in Football
Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets
Amorim is “desperate” for Mount to avoid anymore injury problems as he views him as key to his plans.
The boss did not hide his feelings on the former Chelsea man earlier this season, saying: “Mason Mount… I have to tell you I love that kid.
“You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. This is the most important thing.
“He played in this system, so it’s perfect for him… I have two positions for Mason Mount, so he should be very happy.
“He fits our style. He’s a very good player inside and also outside the pitch. The type of character we want in this team and the club want.”
Mount’s Man Utd career has struggled to take off since his £55million move from Chelsea before the start of last season.
He has got just one goal and one assist, missing 49 games through various injury problems.
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Red Devils signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as ever
IT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.
On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.
There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.
A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.
Arsenal‘s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.
Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.
United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.
Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.
