Manchester United could have their record signing back in the lineup for the English Premier League clash against Aston Villa, after Angel Di Maria's return to training, but his Argentine compatriot Marcos Rojo is set to miss out.
With results starting to pick up – Manchester United are on a six-match winning run in the Premier League – the injuries are also easing considerably, with manager Louis Van Gaal saying he has "28 players in the squad and 22 to put in the lineup, and that is big news."
The biggest news of them all is Di Maria, who is set for a return to, at least the bench, after recovering from a hamstring strain suffered in the win over Hull City last month.
While Van Gaal insisted he will not take any risk over Di Maria, he admitted the Argentine could play some part in the match at Villa Park on Saturday.
"Angel has trained this week with us," said Van Gaal on Friday. "It's always dependable on how I have to compare with other players because he's not match fit after one week.
"What I've said about [Robin] van Persie and [Radamel] Falcao, I say also for Di Maria -- it is no different.
"It is a procedure and he has to follow the procedure. Maybe I shall select him for the bench, or maybe not. I have to make my decision because we have one session to go.
"It's always dependable on how I have to compare him with other players because he's not match fit after one week."
While Di Maria is expected to be in the matchday squad against Aston Villa, fellow Argentina international Rojo will not feature with a thigh injury that the defender picked up in the 3-0 win over Liverpool last weekend.
Joining Rojo on the sidelines is midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who is set to miss through illness, but Rafael has recovered from a groin injury, with Van Gaal set to decide if there is room for the Brazilian fullback in the squad.
"Rafael is not injured," added Van Gaal to MUTV. "He was already fit last week, but I have to select and I have to compare.
"When I have more players fit, I have to select. You will have to wait and see, of course. I have to compare. Rafael? I can take him in the 18.
"Rojo? No. We have five injuries and one [Fellaini] is ill, so they are not coming up. Rojo has a rectus femoris [thigh] injury."
