Wayne Rooney returns to Manchester United squad ahead of Europe League trip to Zorya Luhansk

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is ready to return to action for the final Europa League group match at Zorya Luhansk on Thursday (8 December), having missed the weekend draw with Everton due to suspension. Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho will rest Antonio Valencia, Mateo Darmian and Michael Carrick ahead of the Premier League game with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, after the trio were in his starting line-up against the Toffees.

The Reds Devils visit Zorya Luhansk on Thursday night having secured nine points from the first five games, one behind Fenerbahce and only two ahead of Feyenoord.

A point in Ukraine would enough for United to go through to the knockout stages of the Europa League regardless of what happens in the game between Feyenoord and Fenerbahce. United will also qualify even if they lose at Zorya Luhansk should the Eredivisie side fail to beat the current leaders.

Mourinho has accordingly named a strong squad to visit Ukraine, resting Valencia, Darmian and Carrick from the side who played against Everton but with the captain included.

Valencia is expected to start in the Sunday encounter with Tottenham while Carrick and Darmian have also become key players for Mourinho in recent games, with the Italian having started the last five Premier League fixtures at left-back due to the absence of Luke Shaw.

Meanwhile, long-term absentee Eric Bailly has also been included in Jose Mourinho's 19-man travelling squad after he made the bench against the Toffees, having been out of action since damaging knee ligaments during a 4-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea in October.

However, Chris Smalling and Shaw remain sidelined while out-of-favour duo Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin have also been left out of the list for technical reasons. Furthermore, Bastian Schweinsteiger is also out as the German midfielder is not registered the Europa League squad.

United beat Zorya in the reverse fixture back in September courtesy of a goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker, who has netted six goals in his last five appearances, is also in the squad but Mourinho could opt to give him a rest ahead of the Spurs game.