Manchester United Reserves: Ander Herrera Included in Squad Ahead of First-Team Return

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has been named in the club's reserve squad as he continues his recovery from a rib injury, the club have confirmed.

Herrera, a £30m summer signing from Athletic Bilbao, suffered fractured ribs in United's 2-1 win over West Ham United in September.

The 25-year-old midfielder made a premature return in the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion three weeks later but was taken off at half time after struggling with the physical demands of the contest so soon after his return.

While Herrera has been deemed fit enough to make the substitutes bench in United's last four games, United manager Louis van Gaal has opted against using him.

Home games against Hull City and Stoke City present Van Gaal with opportunities to bed the Spaniard back into his midfield but Herrera is likely to get some minutes before that when United's second string take on Blackburn Rovers in the Lancashire Senior Cup on Tuesday 25 November.

United have been beset by injuries this season but are set to welcome back a number of players in the coming weeks.

Jonny Evans is also likely to feature for the reserves on Tuesday as he nears his return from an ankle injury suffered during his side's 5-3 defeat to Leicester City in September.

The Northern Ireland international has missed his side's last seven games amid an injury crisis that has ravaged Van Gaal's defensive options.

Evans is expected to be ready for the next Premier League game against Hull City on Saturday 29 November after back-to-back victories against Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

Radamel Falcao has also returned to first-team training this week, while Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Rafael da Silva are all closing in on all fitness after respective knocks.