Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been handed a huge injury boost heading into the crunch festive period - with Paul Pogba on the brink of returning to first-team training.
The Norwegian is preparing his Red Devils side for their Premier League showdown with Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United then head into what appears to be a favourable run-in over the Christmas and New Year period, which includes matches with Watford , Newcastle , Burnley and Arsenal .
And Solskjaer has revealed that Pogba, Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are set to return to training by next week, meaning they could all play a part as United continue their bid for a top-four spot.
Speaking ahead of the Toffees clash, the boss said: "Next week Eric will start training, Tim will start training.
"Paul will probably start training with us next week properly so let's see"
Injured against Southampton at the end of August, Pogba returned for the matches with Rochdale and Arsenal in September but has not been seen since due to an ankle injury.
The World Cup winner returned to Manchester a fortnight ago after a period of rehabilitation in Miami, but the France international still remains unable to feature this weekend.
However Solskjaer will no doubt be boosted by the imminent return of Pogba, as well as the injury recoveries of Bailly and Fosu-Mensah.
The Everton match is likely to come too soon for Diogo Dalot, while Marcos Rojo, Fosu-Mensah and Bailly are also building fitness.
United will head into the Toffees encounter full of confidence following their Europa League win on Thursday night.
Teenager Mason Greenwood underlined his star quality by hitting a stunning brace as Manchester United beat AZ Alkmaar 4-0 to wrap up top spot in their Europa League group.
Following impressive Premier League victories against Tottenham and Manchester City , Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side turned their attention to winning Group L against another team already guaranteed to be in Monday's knockout phase draw.
Winning Group L means United enter the round of 32 draw among the top seeds, avoiding the likes of Ajax, Benfica, Inter Milan and RB Salzburg.
