Man United receive huge double boost ahead of must-win Athletic Bilbao tie as duo return to training after injury lay-offs

• Amad Diallo has been out with an ankle injury he picked up in training in February
• It was initially feared that the winger would miss the remainder of the campaign 
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By TUM BALOGUN

Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt have returned to training in a major boost to Manchester United ahead of their season-defining Europa League semi-final against Atletico Bilbao. 

The Red Devils have been without Diallo since he suffered an ankle injury in February. It was initially feared that the issue would rule the 22-year-old out for the rest of the season. 

However, following a swift recovery, the forward could yet play a part in the conclusion to United’s season as they bid to win the Europa League and claim a Champions League spot. 

Ruben Amorim’s men travel to San Mames to take on Bilbao this week hoping to return for the showpiece in less than a month. On Wednesday, the club received further good news in the return of De Ligt’s to training following his ankle problems. 

The Dutchman has been out since the start of the month after picking up the injury in the defeat by Nottingham Forest. Amorim revealed that the defender is ‘near’ to a return and he could feature against Bilboa on Thursday. 

Diallo is unlikely to be risked for the away leg but could make his return when United welcome Bilbao to Old Trafford on May 8.  

Amad Diallo returned to training on Wednesday in a huge boost to Man United ahead of their Europa League semi-final

The Red Devils were put through their paces at Carrington before flying out to Bilbao for the clash 

Ruben Amorim is still missing a number of key players including Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee

The imminent returns of Diallo and De Ligt come as welcome news given the injury to the ever-present Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese missed the weekend draw against Bournemouth with a calf issue and faces a race against time to feature against this season. 

‘Diogo Dalot is out,’ Amorim said at his press conference on Friday. ‘We don’t know how long he’s going to be out. But he’s out for these next games. We will see to the end.

‘There is that possibility [he could miss the rest of the season] but I don’t know, we will check week by week.’

United’s hopes of salvaging something from their miserable season lie in the Europa League, which could also grant qualification for the Champions League and a much-needed cash injection. 

The Red Devils earned a late draw against ten-man Bournemouth on Sunday which saw them inch closer to 40 points. The lacklustre tally represents the club’s lowest at this stage of a Premier League season. 

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Man United receive huge double boost ahead of must-win Athletic Bilbao tie as duo return to training after injury lay-offs

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