Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that Lisandro Martinez, Scott McTominay and Diogo Dalot could be back in the squad for Tuesday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Martinez is yet to be involved for the Red Devils since the 2022 World Cup, with the centre-back helping Argentina triumph in Qatar.
McTominay, meanwhile, has missed his side's last two Premier League games against Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers through illness.
Dalot is also yet to feature since the campaign resumed, with the right-back picking up a hamstring problem while representing Portugal at the World Cup.
However, speaking during his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag said that all three players could be back in the squad against Bournemouth.
"We have to see. Both were training yesterday and today, so I am quite optimistic about [them] returning to the squad, both of them," said the Dutchman when asked about Martinez and McTominay.
Meanwhile, when questioned on Dalot, Ten Hag added: "Diogo Dalot also, he is making good progress. But we don't want to take risks with anyone because we know there are many games to come and we need a full squad to cover all the games."
Axel Tuanzebe remains a long-term absentee for the Red Devils, though, while Jadon Sancho is also again unlikely to be involved, as he is yet to resume first-team training alongside his teammates.
Ten Hag also opened up on his defensive options ahead of the Bournemouth clash, with Luke Shaw playing the last two matches as a centre-back.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have both recently been absent through illness, although the pair were back on the bench against Wolves on Saturday.
"Of course you have your ideas, and a plan, but sometimes it changes by circumstances like illnesses from Harry [Maguire] and from Victor [Lindelof]," said the Dutchman.
"Normally they should have started in the games we just played, but then Casemiro did well as a centre-half, Luke Shaw against Forest did very good, and also you look into the game plan, the way we have to approach Wolves, and I thought it was the best match with Rapha [Varane] and Luke.
"Especially defending wise, we know the speed from Wolves over on the right side, and he [Shaw] could cover that because we want to attack over on the left side with offensive game from Tyrell Malacia so that was a good fit. And also in possession, you always - with a left foot - get better angles on the pitch.
"We have seen the last two games. I think he (Shaw) did fabulous and was impressing, but we know also he is really good as a left full-back but it's an extra option and [that] is always good for a team."
Man United are currently fourth in the Premier League table, two points behind third-placed Newcastle United, with a game in hand on the Magpies, who will face the leaders Arsenal on Tuesday. body check tags ::
