Jesse Lingard returns to training ahead of Manchester United's trip to Hull City

Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has returned to training ahead of the club's Premier League clash with Hull City on Saturday (27 August).

Lingard, 23, was forced off after an hour in United's Community Shield victory over Leicester City with an ankle problem, missing the opening Premier League game of the season against Bournemouth and Friday's victory over Southampton at Old Trafford.

Manager Jose Mourinho said after the Leicester game the injury was not serious and the attacking midfielder could force his way into contention for the club's visit to the KC Stadium.

Lingard tweeted a picture of himself training back among the first-team alongside the message: "Good to be back training with the lads after my injury."

Lingard was a somewhat surprise selection in Mourinho's side that beat Leicester on the opening day of the 2016-17 season but immediately repaid his manager's faith with a superb solo goal against the champions, having kept new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata out of the starting XI.

Mkhitaryan, a summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, is yet to start a game for his new side, coming off the bench in each of United's games this season. When asked why the Armenia international started life at Old Trafford on the bench, Mourinho recently told the club's website: "I was reading the game against Leicester and I felt that we needed the speed of Jesse Lingard and, in the game against Bournemouth, that [Juan] Mata would help guard against their pressing really high. He could reach some spaces behind the line of the pressure and could be very useful for us.

"When some managers buy players, they feel they have to protect their choices by playing the player all the time – I am not like this. Before me, comes the team and what I think is best for the team.

"I felt that Lingard and Mata were better options for the team in these matches, with the reality of the Premier League, so I made that decision. I keep saying the same thing, though, that Mkhitaryan is a super football player and will give us a lot during the season."

Lingard and Mkhitaryan are expected to be in direct competition for a starting role on the right of midfield against Hull.