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Louis van Gaal: This Man Utd star will return from injury to face Liverpool
LOUIS VAN GAAL has confirmed Antonio Valencia will return to Manchester United's match-day squad to face Liverpool in the Europa League tomorrow.
Louis van Gaal says Antonio Valencia will be part of his squad to face Liverpool
The 30-year-old has been out of action since October with a foot injury, but has been training with his senior team-mates for the past week.
And the versatile winger is now set to make his comeback, which will offer United a welcome boost amid their injury crisis in defence, but he is not ready for a starting role.
The Dutchman said ahead of their last 16 first leg tie at Liverpool: “Valencia is fit enough to be on the bench, but not to play 90 minutes.”
Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling have all returned to action over the last three games, while Phil Jones and Bastian Schweinsteiger are closing in on full fitness.
Antonio Valencia expected to make the bench for Liverpool trip
Liverpool v Manchester United - Europa League match preview
But full-backs Luke Shaw (leg), Ashley Young (groin) and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (knock) all remain out of action going into the Europa League clash.
Van Gaal added on Schweinsteiger: "A lot of players shall come back in the month of March. But Basti, for example, has only one training session under his belt."
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