Rafa Benitez is confident that Sean Longstaff will be back in good time from his knee injury - and admits he is already seeing genuine signs of progress.
The midfielder has now ditched the crutches and is well under way with his rehab and is eyeing light training in April.
United have not put any pressure on Longstaff to return this season but Benitez is delighted with the North Shields lad's progress so far.
He said: "I saw him in the corridor five times the other day and asked him 'Why are you always here?'
"But it was part of the plan walk around the corridor maybe!
"I was joking with him because he's working really hard and doing really well."
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Longstaff is the only player on the sidelines for the clash at the Emirates Stadium but Benitez is set to run checks on a clutch of players carrying knocks from training.
Benitez must also weigh up the fatigue levels of some of his returning international players such as Miguel Almiron and DeAndre Yedlin who are both back from transatlantic trips.
Jamaal Lascelles has been declared fully fit after coming back from a knee injury picked up in the 3-2 win over Everton.
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