All four have been declared fit for United’s Thursday evening match with Dutch club Ajax.
Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were defensive lynchpins for United at the start of the season, while Ashley Young and Nani caused untold havoc on the wings.
Over the past six weeks the club has largely had to do without them, as they have each been nursing injuries, strains, and illnesses.
Now with the club ready to begin a new chapter in their European football history tomorrow night, all four have given United a major boost.
Ashley Young featured in the 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago, but that was his only foray into the first team since mid-December.
Nani has barely featured of late, but he is one of the players with something special in his game that can unlock Europe’s meanest defences.
Young, Jones and Smalling’s return will also cheer interim England manager Stuart Pearce, as he prepares for a friendly with Holland at the end of the month.
With United also welcoming Tom Cleverley back into the first team set up, recent injury news has been positive.
The return of the players will provide extra impetus in United’s quest to win silverware domestically and abroad.
Against Ajax they will not have an easy task, but with Sir Alex Ferguson pledging to take the competition seriously, the Dutch side will also have their work cut out if they are to knock United out over two legs.
Ferguson said yesterday that Brazilian midfielder Anderson was a fortnight away from a return to the first team, which will bring the side’s depleted midfield almost back to full strength, with Darren Fletcher the main long term absentee in that position.
Lindegaard, Owen, and Vidic make up the rest of the injured, with the Danish goalkeeper hoping to be back within a few weeks.
United have named a 20 man squad for the Ajax trip, including two youngsters, Paul Pogba and Ezekiel Fryers.
Giggs, Berbatov and Evra have all remained at home and have not flown to Holland.
Full Squad: De Gea, Amos; Fabio, Rafael, Evans, Jones, Smalling, Fryers, Ferdinand; Valencia, Nani, Carrick, Young, Park, Scholes, Cleverley, Pogba; Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck.
Will the return of the key quartet help United win the title or the Europa League?
image: © Paolo camera
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