Ruben Amorim has revealed Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is closing in on a return from his hamstring injury.
Fernandes has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury at Aston Villa before Christmas.
The midfielder has missed games against Newcastle, Wolves and Leeds but he is close to a comeback, in what would be a major boost for United.
Amorim’s side struggled again in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Leeds as their poor form continued at Elland Road.
The United boss issued an update on Fernandes in response to a question from TNT Sports about whether January transfer plans at Old Trafford could change.
Amorim had said this week that he did not expect any incomings or outgoings this month.
Asked after the Leeds game if there could be talks with the club’s hierarchy about their transfer plans changing, Amorim said: “Just focus on the game and let’s prepare with the players that we have. I expect to have some minutes for Bruno and Mason Mount maybe, so we will see. They are players who are ready to help us.”
United face Burnley at Turf Moor in their next game on Wednesday , before hosting Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Their next game after that is the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on January 17. Amorim’s side then travel to Arsenal on January 25.
Asked if Fernandes and Mount could be fit to return against Burnley on Wednesday, Amorim said: “We’ll see.”
After the Leeds game, Amorim also told Joshua Zirkee to “focus on United” amid reports in Italy that he is wanted by Roma.
Zirkeemade an impact off the bench as he set up Matheus Cunha to equalise at Elland Road but his future is uncertain.
“Everyone needs to focus on United,” he said. “This is one of the best clubs in the world. If you are here and focusing on a different club then something is wrong with you.”
