Man United handed a major BOOST for the festive period as Luke Shaw returns to training for first time since his muscle injury and Lisandro Martinez steps up recovery after foot operation

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Manchester United's Luke Shaw returned to training on Wednesday morning
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By Chris Wheeler for the Daily Mail

Published: 22:30 GMT, 22 November 2023 | Updated: 22:52 GMT, 22 November 2023

Luke Shaw has given Manchester United a massive boost by returning to training for the first time in three months.

Shaw played in the opening two games of the season against Wolves and Tottenham, but has been out of action since mid-August after suffering a serious thigh muscle injury.

The 28-year-old England defender has rejoined first-team training at Carrington this week and is now in contention for a run of key fixtures, starting with Sunday's visit to Everton.

United have struggled at left-back in Shaw's absence with Tyrell Malacia yet to play this season following knee surgery and loan signing Sergio Reguilon also missing due to a hamstring injury and illness.

The problem has resulted in right-footed defenders Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof, and midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, filling in at left-back.

Luke Shaw has returned to training in a major injury boost to Manchester United

The left back hasn't played since picking up a muscle injury against Tottenham in August

Shaw's lay-off has also been cited as one of the reasons for Marcus Rashford's loss of form this season, with United deprived of their successful partnership down the left flank.

There has been more good news for manager Erik ten Hag with goalkeeper Andre Onana able to train for the last two days despite picking up a groin injury on international duty with Cameroon.

Onana was hurt in the World Cup qualifying win over Mauritius and flew back to Manchester on Sunday before Cameroon's draw with Libya.

However, he has recovered fully and is expected to be in goal for United at Goodison Park.

Lisandro Martinez watched Wednesday's first-team session from the sidelines as he continues his comeback from a fractured foot that required a second operation.

Martinez is following an individual training programme at Carrington after spending some time at home in Argentina, but he and Brazil midfielder Casemiro are not expected back in action until January.

Rasmus Hojlund is still a doubt for Sunday's game after tweaking his right hamstring in the win over Luton before the international break.

Hojlund was withdrawn from Denmark's games against Slovenia and Northern Ireland along with his United teammate Christian Eriksen who sustained a knee injury against Luton and is expected to be out until mid-December.