Man United receive major injury boost ahead of must-win Europa League semi-final fixture

Man United and Ruben Amorim can finally heave a sigh of relief following the latest player update ahead of their must-win Europa League semi-final fixture.

Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt have both returned to training, delivering a timely boost for Man United in terms of players ahead of their crucial Europa League semi-final clash against Athletic Bilbao.

Diallo has been sidelined since February due to an ankle injury, with early concerns suggesting he might miss the rest of the campaign.

However, his recovery has progressed better than expected, and the 22-year-old winger may yet play a part in United’s final push for European success and a Champions League spot.

Manager Ruben Amorim's side will head to San Mamés this week for the first leg of the semi-final, hoping to secure a place in next month’s final.

Their preparations were further lifted by De Ligt’s return to training on Wednesday. The Dutch defender has been unavailable since sustaining an ankle injury in the defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier this month.

Amorim confirmed that De Ligt is close to full fitness and may be available for selection in Thursday's match.While Diallo is unlikely to feature in the away leg, he could be in contention for the return fixture at Old Trafford on May 8.

Their recoveries come at a crucial time for United, especially with Diogo Dalot also sidelined. The Portuguese full-back missed the recent draw with Bournemouth due to a calf problem, and his availability for the remaining fixtures is uncertain.

“Dalot is out,” Amorim stated during Friday’s press conference. “We don’t yet know how long he’ll be unavailable. He’s definitely missing the upcoming games. There’s a chance he could be out for the rest of the season, but we’ll assess him week by week.”

Manchester United’s ambitions for a positive end to a disappointing season now rest on their Europa League campaign, which offers both a potential trophy and a route back to Champions League football along with the financial benefits that come with it.