Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has received an unforeseen multitude of fitness boosts ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
Earlier this month, the Dutchman said that Lisandro Martinez (foot) and Casemiro (thigh) could take several more weeks to recover from their long-term issues, but he revealed in his pre-game press conference that both men had trained and would be in line for returns to the matchday squad here.
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen (illness) could also face his old club, while Amad Diallo (illness), Antony (hamstring) and Luke Shaw (unspecified) complete Man United's welcome list of returning players.
However, Mason Mount (calf), Victor Lindelof (groin), Harry Maguire (groin), Anthony Martial (illness) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) remain out, while Sofyan Amrabat has linked up with his Morocco teammates for the Africa Cup of Nations.
In contrast, Cameroon's Andre Onana has delayed his departure and is poised to start in between the sticks, likely behind an untouched central pairing of Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans given Martinez's lengthy layoff.
Ten Hag should also see no reason to demote Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Diogo Dalot to the bench, while Casemiro's lack of match fitness could also see Kobbie Mainoo and Scott McTominay retain their places in the engine room.
Diallo and Antony's returns may not hold much significance when it comes to the hosts' starting XI either, as Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund are poised to complete an unchanged lineup from their FA Cup beating of Wigan Athletic.
Manchester United possible starting lineup: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
> Click here to see how Tottenham could line up for this fixture
Ben Knapton
