Manchester United received positive news this week as Ashley Young and Phil Jones started for the U21s at Old Trafford on Monday.
In addition, Luke Shaw returned to training as he worked with a United physio for the first time since sustaining a broken leg last September in the Champions League clash with PSV.
While he will still need to carry out plenty of work on the training ground to get back to full fitness in order to make his return, Louis van Gaal can expect to have both Young and Jones at his disposal sooner rather than later.
The pair featured in the U21 Premier League match against Chelsea, and although captain Wayne Rooney was unable to play, it is reported by Sky Sports that he is also nearing a return to action having been sidelined since February with a knee problem.
It will be welcome news for Van Gaal as his squad continues to be bolstered by the return of injured players, and it will undoubtedly strengthen their belief that they can still claim a top-four finish.
United remain in fifth place in the Premier League table with seven games remaining this season, but they sit just one point adrift of rivals Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification.
It has been a rocky campaign for the Red Devils both on and off the pitch, and although speculation has suggested that Van Gaal could be replaced at the end of the season, latest reports claim that he will see out his contract and remain next year, as reported by Sky Sports.
Despite all their troubles, a top-four finish coupled with success in the FA Cup could be seen as a positive season. However, if Van Gaal is still at the helm this summer, he will know that much more will be expected next season and that involves United challenging for silverware both at home and abroad.