Erik ten Hag will be able to select a strong starting line-up for Manchester United's Carabao Cup clash against Burnley next week, with very few injury concerns at Old Trafford.
United defeated Fulham in the Premier League in their final game before the break in the domestic season, with youngster Alejandro Garnacho scoring the winner for the Reds. With more than a month since the last fixture, Ten Hag will be keen to return with a victory against Vincent Kompany's side.
The Reds will be without Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane for the EFL Cup clash, due to their involvement in the World Cup final, and it remains to be seen which other players who participated in the tournament will be available for selection.
ALSO READ: Louis van Gaal has already warned Manchester United about Cody Gakpo
With Cristiano Ronaldo having left the club following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan last month, Ten Hag is looking to recruit a forward in the January transfer window. For now, though, he will have to choose from the players in his current squad - with the vast majority of them fit and ready to go.
Here's where United stand on the injury front:
Diogo Dalot
The defender was forced off with an apparent hamstring injury in the 79th minute of Portugal's World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco on Saturday. The Manchester Evening News understands Diogo Dalot reported at Carrington on Friday morning and was due to be assessed by United's medical staff as part of his recovery.
While United players who exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage are expected to return for training on Monday, Dalot was back three days early.
The Portuguese full-back, who had previously gone more than two years without injury, has started 20 of the Reds' 21 matches so far this season and only missed the victory over Fulham on November 13 through suspension.
Expected return date: Unknown
Axel Tuanzebe
Axel Tuanzebe continued his road to recovery by undergoing an individualised training session on Thursday, with the defender having sustained a long-term injury during the club's pre-season tour.
The 25-year-old, whose last appearance for the club came in the 2021 Europa League final, is not expected to return until after Christmas. However, it is promising to see him back working on the grass.
Speaking in October, Ten Hag said: "Axel is still working inside, so he's not back on the pitch. I think it will be difficult for Axel to return before Christmas."
Expected return date: Early 2023
Raphael Varane
The centre-back has reportedly picked up a virus that is sweeping through the France squad in Qatar and is a serious doubt to play in their World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday.
Varane and Liverpool ace Ibrahima Konate are the latest players to fall ill in the French camp, with a bug causing flu-like symptoms.
Some visitors to Qatar have struggled with 'Middle East respiratory syndrome' - which can cause a flu-like illness ranging in severity. It is the same issue that Brazil star Antony experienced during the tournament.
Expected return date: Unknown
READ NEXT:
