Manchester United Injury News: Van Gaal Plans Behind Closed Doors Friendly for Michael Carrick to Regain Full Fitness

Manchester United have been handed a double injury boost as midfielder Michael Carrick and defender Phil Jones will return to the squad for the West Bromwich Albion clash.

According to the Daily Mail, the England international duo are set to make their return from injury in their upcoming clash. Carrick picked up an ankle injury in July and is yet to play under Louis Van Gaal. He even missed United's pre-season tour.

The 20-times English champions are planning friendly behind-closed-doors fixtures for the midfielder to help him regain full fitness. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager sees the 33-year-old as a key player in the United squad.

The Dutchman was reportedly set to hand the captain's armband to Carrick, before injury forced him to hand it to striker Wayne Rooney.

In Carrick's absence, Van Gaal has deployed summer signing Daley Blind in the holding midfield position. The Netherlands international has impressed since making a switch to Old Trafford.

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder's return could see Van Gaal use both Carrick and Blind play alongside each other, especially in the absence of another summer signing Ander Herrera.

The Spaniard fractured his rib during United's 2-1 victory over West Ham United and is likely to miss the next fixture. However, it should be seen whether Van Gaal will start Carrick or if he will introduce him from the bench.

Meanwhile, Jones is also in contention to make a return to the starting lineup for the first time since he picked up a hamstring injury while playing for England against Switzerland.

The Premier League returns this weekend after two weeks of the international break. Earlier this month, Van Gaal had confirmed that both Jones and Carrick have all started light training and was hopeful to get the injured players back to full fitness.

"Ashley Young, Michael Carrick, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have started to do some light training," Van Gaal told United's official website.

"After today's match, we have a good two-week period during the international break before our next match, and that will give us some valuable time to try to get these players back into full training and back to full fitness."