Wayne and Robin return?
David Moyes has been given another boost as Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Marouane Fellaini all took part in training today (Monday) ahead of Tuesday's Barclays Premier League match with Cardiff City at Old Trafford.
The United manager also said
new signing Juan Mata trained with the squad for the first time on Monday and
he will decide on the Spaniard's inclusion on the day of the game.
Moyes is hopeful that
Rooney and van Persie could play some part in the game against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. "It's a big night for Manchester United supporters," the boss told reporters. "Robin and Wayne have both trained today. We are hoping at some time to get them available for the game.
"
We will make a decision on Juan Mata, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is returning to Old Trafford as a manager of the opposition. He will get a great reception - and deserves it."
Rooney has suffered from an adductor muscle injury in his groin and has been out of action since the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on 1 January.
Van Persie (thigh) has been absent since the 1-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on 10 December, and Fellaini, sidelined initially with a back injury and then by wrist surgery, last played six days before that in the 1-0 loss to his former club Everton.
The return of key high-profile squad members, added to the arrival of Mata, puts an optimistic outlook on the coming weeks and months as Moyes' men look to climb up the league table.
Time for payback