Noussair Mazraoui could return for Manchester United’s clash with Leeds this weekend, while Matthijs de Ligt is unlikely to start, according to head coach Michael Carrick.
Mazraoui missed United’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham and the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid after sustaining an injury on international duty for Morocco against Lesotho last month.
With Luke Shaw also ruled out for the midweek Champions League fixture, youngster Daniel Armer was called up to the matchday squad by Carrick to help ease the defensive crisis.
Mazraoui back in training
In a boost for Carrick, under increasing pressure as a result of five games without a win across all competitions, Mazraoui looks set to be available for selection against Leeds.
“Yeah, it's a little bit stronger,” Carrick said of the matchday squad he could name for Sunday’s showdown at Elland Road. “Hopefully, we've got Nous back involved with us.
“He's done a little bit of training, so he'll be back around the group, which is a good step in the right direction for us.”
De Ligt to be eased back
De Ligt, meanwhile, is a possible option to replace Lisandro Martinez in central defence following the Argentina international’s extraordinary attack on the club’s board, though Martinez has since apologised for his comments and will be in the squad to face Leeds.
However, De Ligt has not featured for United in almost a year and Carrick has suggested he will ease the Dutchman back in slowly.
“Every training session and every day and every kind of week that goes by, being back around the group, being on the bench again,” Carrick added.
“[He was] back on the bench the other night, I think it was a good step for him and just a little bit of patience, a little bit of working our way through it and getting him up to speed.
“It’s great to have him around. He's obviously a lot happier when being back around the group.
“He's had a tough few months that he's had to work through, and credit to him for that, for being in the place that he is now.
“So yeah, we’re delighted to have him back involved.”
Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo remain doubtful for the Leeds game, with Carrick taking a “we’ll see” approach when asked for an update on the pair in Friday’s pre-match press conference.
