Erik ten Hag required some encouraging news.
Football DigestA much-needed bit of good news has come to Manchester United ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Bayern Munich. When United’s European campaign gets underway at the Allianz Arena, Erik ten Hag might be able to welcome some important players back to his team based on Tuesday’s open training session.
Raphael Varane and Mason Mount have been spotted practicing again at United in advance of the trip to Bavaria, according to video.
Since suffering a hamstring injury in August, Mount has been out; his last appearance was in the 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Raphael Varane started the following match, an Old Trafford comeback victory over Nottingham Forest that ended 3-2, but he was taken out at halftime and eventually declared ineligible for United’s previous two games.
However, both were observed jogging with teammates and engaging in ball exercises, indicating they would be available to travel with the Bayern club.
Ten Hag might decide against putting them in danger during the week and reserve their returns for the trip to Turf Moor on Saturday to face Premier League underachievers Burnley.
But after a dreadful few weeks, he will be thrilled to see two players who started the season as starters returning on the practice field.
Kobbie Mainoo and Sofyan Amrabat, a midfield combination, were also spotted stepping up their recoveries throughout the training session, adding to Ten Hag’s good news.
Mainoo made an impression throughout the preseason and is anticipated to have a breakout season with the United first team.
The 18-year-old had an unexpected injury while playing against Real Madrid in a friendly in July, but United has confirmed he participated in a personal light-running workout at Carrington.
Amrabat also worked out alone after his United debut was postponed due to a small back ailment discovered during his hurried deadline-day physical.
The 27-year-old arrived on an £8.5 million season-long loan from Fiorentina, and United has the option to make the transfer permanent for almost £21 million in the coming summer.
However, given that he hasn’t yet begun working out with Ten Hag’s team, he could have to wait a bit longer before making his debut.
Starting his second season as United manager, Ten Hag has seen an unparalleled wave of availability concerns.
He is still without Tom Heaton, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Amrabat, Mainoo, Amad, Antony, and Jadon Sancho, however their approaching returns of Mount and Varane will help his plight.
After Bayern, he has a favorable stretch of games, so he will be hoping to steady the ship for the upcoming season. More returning names will inevitably help a lot with that.