Manchester United Injury News: Rafael Returns While Falcao Rubbishes Knee Reports

Manchester United's injury crisis has eased after full-back Rafael confirmed his return to full training following a muscle injury.

The Brazilian defender has missed the club's last two matches with an unconfirmed problem suffered in training prior to the derby defeat to Manchester City earlier this month.

With Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans all currently absent through injury the news is a significant boost to United manager Louis van Gaal, who has been forced to field youth pair Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair this term..

Rafael wrote "back in training" on Instagram on Tuesday to announce his return, which will likely be in time for the Premier League trip to Arsenal on 22 November - the first match after the current international break.

The 24-year-old was forced to wait until September for his first United appearance of the season after suffering a groin injury on the club's pre-season tour.

The Brazil international has therefore only played six times this season, his last start coming in the 1-1 draw with unbeaten league leaders Chelsea in October.

The United right-back joins striker Radamel Falcao back in training after the Colombia international confirmed he had recovered from a calf problem.

Falcao has missed United's last three games and was ruled out of Colombia's upcoming friendly internationals against USA and Slovenia, but has begun training again following the two-week lay-off.

The 28-year-old has been forced to rubbish reports he requires constant treatment on a troublesome knee problem which saw him miss the World Cup.

Falcao suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury last January and missed the remainder of the season before moving to United in a season-long loan deal from Monaco.

The lengthy spell out on the sidelines had raised concerns over his long-term fitness, but the ex-Porto and Atletico Madrid forward has refuted the claims.

"One fool speculates," he wrote on Twitter. "A few others lacking objectivity respond and millions believe lies. It is disastrous what a few fools can do."