Man United injury news: Van Gaal confirms that Valencia trained with the squad

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has confirmed that Antonio Valencia trained with the squad today as he closes in on a return from a long-term injury.

Valencia has made just six Premier League appearances this season and hasn’t featured since October because of an ankle problem that required surgery.

Van Gaal is hopeful, though, that Valencia will soon be available to return to competitive action. The manager told the club’s official website: “Fellaini and Valencia are the next ones to come back, I think. Fellaini shall come into the last step of the process, team training, and also Valencia today has trained with the group, so they are coming back.”

Although he seems far better suited to operating as a winger, Valencia has often featured at right-back for United in recent seasons and will represent a useful squad option for van Gaal, who has been forced to field several youngsters in defence recently.

Even when he plays at right-back, Valencia is capable of providing a regular attacking threat for United, as demonstrated by the fact that he created 26 chances in the Premier League last season.

The Ecuador international is also a fine distributor of the ball, and registered a hugely impressive average pass accuracy of 89% in the top flight last campaign.

Today's game at home to Watford will come too soon for the midfielder, but the 30-year-old will hope to play a prominent part in the closing stages of the campaign.

Van Gaal will be hopeful that United’s overall injury situation will soon start to improve, with several senior players closing in on a return to action. Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling and Anthony Martial could all feature against Watford, while Marouane Fellaini should also be back soon.

However, Wayne Rooney is expected to be out for rather longer and Phil Jones is also still sidelined.