Joshua Zirkzee back in training as Man Utd get triple injury boost on eve of Tottenham tie

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee was a surprise returnee to training the day before the Europa League final, taking part along with the group in the hope of featuring in Bilbao on Wednesday evening. The striker's season was expected to be over after suffering a hamstring injury last month, but he is in contention to play against Tottenham.

Zirzkee limped out of the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle and looked visibly upset as he was helped off the pitch, with boss Ruben Amorim confirming at the time that the Dutchman would not feature again this season.

"He is out for the season," Amorim said in his press conference ahead of facing Lyon in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final. "He will not play again this season, let's prepare him for the next one.

"It is tough, he was improving in every aspect of the game. It is tough for any player but he has to be ready to recover."

But Zirkzee appears to have made a fast recovery, having been spotted taking part in training with the rest of the available United players in Manchester before they fly to Spain on Tuesday afternoon.

In further positive news for the Red Devils, both Diogo Dalot and Leny Yoro also came through the session unscathed after their recent fitness concerns. Jonny Evans was present for the main portion of training too.

There was, however, no sign of Matthijs De Ligt among the group, potentially ruling him out of a place in Amorim's starting lineup to face Spurs. He did later emerge and undertook some light sprinting individually with a coach.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw made up the back three for the 1-0 defeat away to Chelsea in the Premier League last time out, with Yoro likely to replace Shaw if the youngster can prove his fitness.

Dalot's return also gives Amorim the opportunity to switch Noussair Mazraoui into the back three, with the Portuguese defender and Patrick Dorgu more traditional options at wing-back.

Zirkzee, who endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford but improved in the weeks before his injury, provides Amorim another option up front alongside the misfiring Rasmus Hojlund.

Chido Obi is ineligible for the Europa League and Hojlund has just four goals from 31 Premier League appearances this season. His record is improved in Europe, six goals from 14 matches, but he faces a formidable centre-back partnership of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

It remains to be seen how much Zirkzee will be able to feature, if at all, but he does provide United with more firepower as they attempt to rescue a torrid season with glory in Bilbao.