Florian Lejeune is making good progress as he edges closer to full fitness following a knee injury sustained last April.
The French centre-back is now back in light training and with Steve Bruce hoping he will make an autumn return.
Lejeune suffered cruciate damage in the 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace last spring, but is making huge strides forward.
Bruce said: "Well, Florian was out on the pitch on Tuesday/Wednesday, which I was amazed at.
"I think he's had three-and-a-half months.
"I think he got back playing four months last year, which is quite remarkable for a cruciate.
"Whether that had any effect on the other one, you'll have to ask the doctors.
"It's incredibly quick to come back on the pitch so he's done remarkably well.
"It's good to see him - he looks a very, very good player."
Bruce is hoping that DeAndre Yedlin and Dwight Gayle will also be back sooner rather than later but Andy Carroll may have to wait.
He said: "I think Gayle and Yedlin will be the closest.
"Andy's been on the training ground all week, swam at Benfield School - bloody hell! Unbelievable.
"I would still think at least the end of next month for Andy, maybe another three or four weeks.
"Dwight, I hope, we're going to see him on the pitch the beginning of next week and Yedlin."
But Christian Atsu has now restarted training with United after a summer hamstring injury suffered whilst on duty with Ghana.
Bruce said: "That's the first time I've seen Atsu train with us, which was good.
"When did he get injured? Early June.
"It might be a bit too early for him but maybe on the bench."
