Boost for Carrick as he confirms versatile Man Utd star is ‘back with the group’ for Bournemouth clash

Michael Carrick has confirmed that Ayden Heaven is ‘back with the group’ after missing the last two matches through illness.

It seems as though he is currently Manchester United’s only returnee for Sunday’s clash with Bournemouth, although Carrick did suggest other players could also make the squad depending on how they recover today and tomorrow.

United team news: Who’s missing?

His other absentees include Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Marcus Rashford, Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw, Benjamin Sesko and Manuel Ugarte.

Martinez sustained a thigh problem in the first half of last Sunday’s draw with Leeds United, while Rashford is said to have been carrying a hip injury since the World Cup.

There are concerns over Sesko’s condition, as he has not featured since before the September international break due to a re-aggravation of a previous issue.

United chiefs are reportedly undecided on whether the Slovenian will need surgery to correct the injury once and for all, which could see him sidelined for a more lengthy period.

Bournemouth welcome injury boost before Old Trafford trip

Meanwhile, Bournemouth have been granted a major boost in the form of attacking starlet Eli Junior Kroupi being fit.

He has been out of action since July, but returned to full first-team training this week, and is in line to play at Old Trafford.

“It’s the plan to take him with us to Manchester, and to give him some minutes,” manager Marco Rose said of Kroupi in his pre-United press conference.

“He is a funny guy. I love him. He has a good attitude, and he is a special player. We have to take care of him, and he needs to take care of his next steps.”

The Cherries are fresh off the back of an unforgettable victory after they overturned AC Milan 3-0 in a Europa League tie at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday night, so they’ll be looking to use that momentum to really crack on and turn things around in the Premier League.