Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has returned to individual training at Carrington as he steps up his recovery from a serious knee injury.
On the back of a productive loan spell with Sunderland during the 2022-23 campaign, the former Atalanta BC youngster jetted off to the United States for the Red Devils' pre-season tour.
Prior to their transatlantic crossing, Diallo had played a part in Man United's friendly wins over Lyon and Leeds United, and he was brought off the bench in an exhibition contest with Arsenal on July 22.
Diallo came on as a second-half replacement for Antony, but he was substituted himself just 13 minutes after his introduction, having been the victim of a crunching tackle from Jurrien Timber.
Scans confirmed the worst, as the 21-year-old was ruled out of the first half of the 2023-24 campaign, suggesting that he would not be at Erik ten Hag's disposal before Christmas.
With Diallo helplessly watching on from the sidelines, Man United have endured an indifferent start to the campaign with seven wins and as many defeats, including five Premier League losses.
Ten Hag's other wide options - Jadon Sancho, Antony, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount - have just one Premier League goal between them so far this term, but the Red Devils have now been handed a welcome boost.
On Monday, Man United confirmed that Diallo has returned to outdoor training, sharing a video of the Ivory Coast international jogging on the turf at their Carrington complex.
However, it is unclear whether Diallo took part in any ball work, and the club have affirmed that he will not be rushed back into action given the severity of his affliction.
As a result, Diallo will remain sidelined for Wednesday's EFL Cup fourth-round tie with Newcastle United, whom the Red Devils defeated 2-0 at Wembley in the 2022-23 final for their first trophy since 2017.
The Ivorian starlet has played nine times for the Man United senior team since making the move from Atalanta in January 2021, registering one goal and one assist for the Red Devils.
Diallo struggled to make his mark at Rangers in the 2021-22 season, but he amassed 14 goals and four assists in 42 games for Sunderland last term, helping the Black Cats reach the Championship playoffs.
Alongside Diallo, Man United will also be missing Lisandro Martinez (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Luke Shaw (muscle), while Sancho has been exiled from the first team for almost two months now.
Meanwhile, Casemiro (ankle) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (thigh) will face late fitness tests to determine whether they can face the Magpies, who defeated Manchester City 1-0 to make it into round four.
In contrast, Man United were ripped to pieces by their bitter rivals on Sunday, going down 3-0 at Old Trafford, which saw them suffer five defeats from their first 10 games in a top-flight season for the first time since the 1986-87 campaign.
