Team news ahead of Everton v United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that several of the injured players in his Manchester United squad are close to returning to full fitness, ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Everton.

United travel to Merseyside knowing that three points could prove crucial for our top-four hopes, and Ole has revealed he could welcome two key men back into the fold at Goodison Park, in Alexis Sanchez and Nemanja Matic.

Alexis has not played a Premier League game since suffering a knee injury in our 3-2 victory against Southampton at the beginning of March, but did make a brief cameo appearance as a substitute against Barcelona on Tuesday night.

He even nearly added a late consolation for the Reds, but his header was denied by an incredible reaction stop from Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

As for Matic, he has missed the last four games through a combination of injury and illness, but he could also feature against the Toffees this weekend.

“We’ll have 20 [players] training this morning [Friday], plus the keepers, which is not bad,” Ole told MUTV.

“Nemanja and Alexis had a good session yesterday [Thursday] as well, so they will probably be involved,” the boss added.

Ole also had some good news regarding the fitness of Ander Herrera and Eric Bailly, neither of whom have played for the Reds this month due to injury.

“The squad is looking good and getting better and better, I have to say,” said Ole.

“Ander is back in training – he’s been working really hard. Eric will be back in training over the weekend, Antonio we’re not sure about yet.”

While the game against Everton looks to have come too early for Herrera and Bailly, the pair could be involved during our crucial run-in, which sees the Reds face Everton, Manchester City and then Chelsea in the space of just eight days.

Luke Shaw is unavailable again on Sunday as he serves the second game in a two-match Premier League ban for picking up 10 yellow cards.

HOW ABOUT EVERTON?

The Toffees, who are unbeaten in their last three home games, are set to only be without two first-team players for Sunday's match.

Boss Marco Silva told the media in his press conference on Thursday that Yerry Mina is the only injury absentee, as the Colombian centre-back remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he sustained playing for his country last week.

Meanwhile, on-loan Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes will serve the first game of a three-match ban following his red card in Everton's 2-0 defeat at Fulham last weekend.