Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed sizeable boost as Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani return to Manchester United training ahead of Europa League second leg tie against AC Milan
- Midfielder Paul Pogba and striker Edinson Cavani have returned to club training
- Pogba has not featured since February 6, while Cavani has missed three games
- Donny van de Beek and goalkeeper David de Gea also featured at Carrington
- United travel to the San Siro to face Italian giants AC Milan on Thursday evening
Manchester United have received a sizeable boost as Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani have returned to training ahead of their crunch Europa League tie against AC Milan.
United drew 1-1 at Old Trafford on March 11, and travel to the San Siro to face the Italian giants in their round of 16 second leg on Thursday.
French midfielder Pogba has not featured since being taken off in the 3-3 draw against Everton on February 6, while striker Cavani was withdrawn against Crystal Palace earlier this month and has missed three matches since then.
Paul Pogba (centre) and Edinson Cavani (right) have returned to Manchester United training
The news comes as a boost to boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of Thursday’s AC Milan clash
Joining the duo back on the training pitch is Dutchman Donny van de Beek, who was named as a substitute against Chelsea on February 28 but has not been on the pitch since coming on against West Bromwich Albion on February 14.
Goalkeeper David de Gea also returned to Carrington after a period of self-isolation following his return to Spain for the birth of his child.
The returnees provide a welcome fillip to boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Cavani likely to start up front ahead of Anthony Martial, who could return for Thursday’s game but is likely to be behind Cavani in the pecking order even if fit.
Cavani is likely to start ahead of Anthony Martial while Frenchman Pogba could also play a part
Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek (right) also returned at United’s Carrington training pitch
Cavani, 34, has faced AC Milan during his stints at Palermo and Napoli in Serie A, and with his continental experience, movement and finishing acumen is highly prized in a United side who have only scored four in their last six matches in all competitions.
Pogba has also been a big miss for the Red Devils, with the more prosaic Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic providing perspiration but not much inspiration from midfield in the Frenchman’s absence.
The 39-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to return to face his former employers and replace the doubtful Rafael Leao, with Ismael Bennacer, Alessio Romagnoli and United loanee Diogo Dalot also set to return to the side.
However, full-back Davide Calabria and experienced forward Mario Mandzukic are likely to miss out.
