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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Garnacho, Varane, McTominay- Manchester United injury latest ahead of West Ham fixture

Manchester United will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on Sunday evening.

United, who have beaten the Hammers twice already this season, will be looking to get back on track following Thursday night's 1-0 defeat by Brighton. That loss denied the Reds the opportunity to tighten their grip on a top four berth, and they will be keen to make amends for that late sucker punch at the first available opportunity.

United are currently fourth in the standings on 63 points, four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool. That gap will be reduced to a solitary point if the Merseysiders beat Brentford in Saturday's teatime kick-off, although United will have two games in hand after that clash at Anfield.

READ MORE: Anthony Martial is proving Jose Mourinho right at United

United's destiny remains in their own hands, and a win against the Hammers would see them take another giant stride towards securing Champions League qualification for next term.

Here is the latest United injury news ahead of the game in London:

Alejandro Garnacho

After missing each of United's last 12 matches with a serious ankle injury, Argentine winger Garnacho could be included in the squad for the clash at the London Stadium. He has not featured since he was forced off in the latter stages of the Reds' goalless draw with Southampton on March 12.

However, he has made good progress in his recovery and manager Erik Ten Hag, speaking in the aftermath of the defeat at Brighton, did confirm that there is a chance he could return against the Hammers.

Ten Hag said: "I think it will be the same squad (as against Brighton), maybe Garnacho can be involved but we'll have to see."

Possible return date: May 7.

Raphael Varane

Like Garnacho, Varane has also made progress in his recovery. The Frenchman has been sidelined with a suspected ankle problem since the 2-2 draw with Sevilla at Old Trafford in mid-April.

He was forced off at half-time against the Spanish side, a blow that was made more significant when Lisandro Martinez was also forced off later in the contest. Varane's rehabilitation has gone well and he could return against Wolves at Old Trafford next Saturday.

Possible return date: May 13.

Scott McTominay

Also on the comeback trail is McTominay, though he is not yet at the same stage in his recovery as either Garnacho or Varane. However, he shared an image on social media earlier this week of some sweat-drenched training gear, featuring the 'soon' emoji, offering encouragement that his return may not be too far away.

Scott McTominay is on the comeback trail. (Colas Buera / Pressinphoto / Icon Sport.)

The Scotland international has missed the last six matches because of an unspecified injury and his versatility in the engine room has been missed at certain junctures. United will be hoping he can play at least some part in the final run-in.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Tom Heaton

Goalkeeper Heaton has been sidelined since just before the March international break after rolling his ankle during a training session in the build-up to United's FA Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham at Old Trafford. He is understood to have resumed light training and could be back in the squad in the coming weeks.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Lisandro Martinez

The Argentine international is out for the rest of the season. He suffered a fractured metatarsal during the 2-2 draw with Sevilla and has since undergone surgery.

Martinez is due back for the start of pre-season.

Possible return date: Pre-season.

Donny van de Beek

Like Martinez, Van de Beek will also not play again this season. The Netherlands international is out for the remainder of the campaign after suffering a knee injury in January.

Although he is not expected to be available again until the beginning of pre-season, his recovery is heading in the right direction, as confirmed by Van de Beek himself last weekend. He confirmed that his recovery is "going well".

Possible return date: Pre-season.

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