Manchester United star posts injury update as he nears return to fitness

Rasmus Hojlund is very close to a return to the Manchester United first team and he is thrilled about it.

The 21-year-old has not featured yet this season due to a hamstring problem he picked up during pre-season, suffering the issue in a friendly against Arsenal in July.

It was hoped the Denmark international would be back last weekend against Southampton and when he missed that fixture there was a possibility of a return against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

He missed both, but after making his return to full training on Wednesday, there is a good chance he will be involved when the Red Devils travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.

Captioning a picture of him beaming alongside Mason Mount, Hojlund wrote on Instagram: ‘I guess being a football player the caption should be ‘happy to be on the pitch again’, but I think the photo says it all.’

It is also encouraging news for Mount who appears to be recovering from his own muscle injury more quickly than expected.

The England international was injured in the defeat at Brighton at the end of August and predicted he would ‘be out for a few games’ but it looks like he could be back in the squad in the near future.

Speaking ahead of last weekend’s 3-0 win at Southampton, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag suggested it was Hojlund and Luke Shaw who were close to a return.

Shaw has also not featured this season due to a calf problem and he is yet to return to training.

‘First, Luke Shaw, he’s progressing but not ready yet to be selected,’ ten Hag said on Monday.

‘Of course, we have a plan in our head when he can be ready but you are always dependent on how the progress will go. You can’t think, you can’t make a suggestion [of a return date] because there are so many factors why a plan can accelerate or slow down.’

Still sidelined for the Red Devils are summer signing Leny Yoro and left-back Tyrell Malacia.

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