Ibrahimovic, Fellaini and Jones come through training unscathed ahead of Manchester derby

Jose Mourinho has been handed a triple injury boost ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend after Phil Jones, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marouane Fellaini came through training unscathed this week.

The Portuguese manager revealed earlier this week that all three had a chance of returning to the Manchester United squad for the game against Pep Guardiola's side, but refused to confirm their participation.

Ibrahimovic made his comeback from a seven-month injury absence against Newcastle United last month and is in contention to make the match day squad against Manchester City. The striker has been used cautiously by the manager owing to the severity of his injury and was omitted for their last two games against Arsenal and CSKA Moscow, but is likely to return to his place on the bench for the derby.

Jones, meanwhile, has not played since coming off with a thigh injury during England's friendly against Germany on 10 November, but could be back in contention for the game against the Cityzens. Mourinho was furious with the Three Lions medical staff for their mismanagement of the defender's injury, especially since he was one of his key players at the heart of the defence.

Jones had formed a strong partnership with Eric Bailly in central defence, and with the latter also currently side lined it remains to be seen if Mourinho will immediately bring him back into the starting XI. Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof have been impressive after Mourinho switched to a back three in recent games.

Fellaini, on the other hand, has been a more short-term problem having missed just the last three games owing to a recurrence of a knee injury he picked up while on international duty. The Belgian midfielder is a vital cog in Mourinho's squad and in the absence of Paul Pogba, who begins his three match suspension after his straight red against Arsenal, his return will be crucial.

According to the Mirror, the trio look certain to be included in the Portuguese manager's match day squad after coming through training unscathed, but it remains to be seen if he will make too many alterations to the team that beat the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday (2 December).