Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Aaron Wan-Bissaka was back on the training field on Friday, with the defender in line to return to the squad against Liverpool next weekend.
Wan-Bissaka has not featured for the Red Devils since the middle of January, but Ten Hag said ahead of the clash with Everton on Saturday that the 26-year-old should be available for the FA Cup fixture with Liverpool alongside both Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund.
The Man United boss has said that the trio are in line to return, with Maguire missing his side's last three matches due to an unspecified issue, while Hojlund has been absent for the last four games with a muscular problem.
Wan-Bissaka's return would open up another option at left-back for Ten Hag, with Diogo Dalot capable of operating in that area of the field.
Victor Lindelof was again used on the left against Everton on Saturday afternoon, with both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia set to be absent for the remainder of the campaign.
© Reuters
"Hopefully, some return," Ten Hag told talkSPORT. "Aaron Wan-Bissaka was, yesterday, on the pitch. We expect also Harry Maguire back in the squad next week. Rasmus Hojlund has good hope he will make it as well.
"It's clear. It's a great game for us and we are looking forward to that game. But Liverpool will be the same and will also look forward [to it] as, for them, it's also a very important game.
"We will plan it, prepare very well and we have to get ready for the game. It's a huge game and a derby game, which we want to be in."
Wan-Bissaka had played the full 90 minutes in four straight Premier League fixtures before an injury was confirmed, and he then suffered a setback in training when attempting to return.
© Reuters
The FA Cup represents Man United's only realistic chance of silverware this season, and Liverpool will head to Old Trafford in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The Red Devils will be the fresher of the two sides, with Liverpool welcoming Sparta Prague to Anfield for the second leg of their last-16 Europa League clash on Thursday night.
Man United's last Premier League match was also on Saturday - a 2-0 win over Everton - before Liverpool drew 1-1 with fellow title challengers Manchester City in the league on Sunday.
The 20-time English champions have won the FA Cup on 12 occasions, making them the second-most successful side in the history of the competition behind Arsenal (14).
