Manchester United’s injury crisis finally looks to be easing as a trip to high-flying Nottingham Forest in the Premier League kicks off their season run-in.
The Red Devils were constantly dealing with all manner of fitness strife before the recent international break, with their list of absentees consistently running into double figures.
However, a quintet of first-team players were seen back training at Carrington on Friday as Ruben Amorim ramped up preparations for Tuesday’s trip to the City Ground, with United afforded a valuable few extra days off due to their lack of involvement in FA Cup quarter-final weekend.
That tough fixture begins an extremely busy April for Amorim’s side, who host City in a Manchester derby at Old Trafford at the weekend before a trip to meet Carabao Cup winners Newcastle at St James’ Park is sandwiched between their crunch two-legged Europa League quarter-final tie against Lyon. They also face Wolves and Bournemouth before the month is out.
With so many games to come, here is all the latest Manchester United injury news and return dates, including updates on the likes of Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Ayden Heaven. Amorim will get January signing Patrick Dorgu back against Forest after his three-match domestic ban.
Amad Diallo
The unexpected star of another tough season for United was initially feared lost for the remainder of the campaign after damaging ankle ligaments during a training session last month.
However, his initial recovery has been swift and he has hinted at an early return on social media, with Amorim himself recently revealing that he now hoped Amad would play again before the summer.
Fabrizio Romano reported over the weekend that he was ahead of schedule and while United won’t take any risks with the Ivorian winger, there is a “real chance” he will be back in action in May.
Potential return date: May
Kobbie Mainoo
England midfielder Mainoo has not played since the 2-1 FA Cup win over Leicester on February 7, having sustained a muscle issue that was expected to keep him sidelined for around six weeks.
Amorim has said that he hopes he will be back before the end of the season, with Mainoo reportedly now doing individual drills out on the grass at Carrington but yet to return to team training.
Potential return date: April/May
Ayden Heaven
United’s teenage January signing from Arsenal had stepped up impressively to deputise in the first team amid a slew of injuries, featuring against Fulham, Arsenal and Real Sociedad before being stretchered off with a nasty-looking foot injury early in the second half of the 3-0 victory at Leicester on March 16.
Amorim said afterwards that Heaven did not know how to explain what he was feeling, making it difficult to determine a potential timeline without further assessment.
The 18-year-old left the King Power Stadium without crutches but with his right foot in a protective boot. It was later reported that he had been seen walking freely at Carrington as fans await another update from Amorim on Monday after Heaven himself said on social media that he was “recovering fast”.
Potential return date: April
Harry Maguire
Maguire was among the quintet of United senior players back in training at Carrington on Friday having not played since going off before extra time with a calf complaint in the FA Cup defeat by Fulham on March 2.
That would appear to have him firmly on track to be involved against Forest.
Potential return date: Tuesday April 1, vs Nottingham Forest (A)
Leny Yoro
Maguire’s fellow centre-back has been sidelined since suffering an ankle problem during the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on March 9 and missing the next two matches against Sociedad and Leicester.
However, Yoro was also back in training on Friday and should play against Forest on Tuesday night.
Potential return date: Tuesday April 1, vs Nottingham Forest (A)
Luke Shaw
Shaw has not started a single game for United so far this season or indeed since last February, making the last of his three substitute cameos against Everton on December 1.
He has been plagued by setbacks in trying to recover from hamstring and calf issues, finally resuming training at Carrington last week.
Shaw will hope to form part of the matchday squad against Forest, though has been out for such a long time that it would be understandable if Amorim wanted to give him a bit longer to get fully up to speed.
Potential return date: April
Altay Bayindir
Andre Onana’s deputy was last seen in action against FCSB in the Europa League in late January, with an unspecified injury leading to the likes of youngsters Will Murdock, Dermot Mee and Elyh Harrison having to step into senior squads as cover.
But he was seen back in training on Friday and should return to his familiar bench role in the Premier League at the City Ground.
Potential return date: Tuesday April 1, vs Nottingham Forest (A)
Tom Heaton
Veteran goalkeeper is third-choice at United and has only played in the EFL Trophy so far this season, but is now fit again and was also seen in training on Friday.
Potential return date: Tuesday April 1, vs Nottingham Forest (A)
Lisandro Martinez
Last month, the Argentine defender underwent surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered against Crystal Palace on February 2. He will not play again this season.
Potential return date: Summer 2025
Jonny Evans
Experienced defender last played (and scored) in the Carabao Cup defeat by Tottenham on December 19. Evans has been dealing with a lingering back issue and it remains to be seen if he will play again this term.
Potential return date: Unknown
