Casemiro is back! Man Utd midfielder makes timely return to training pitch ahead of massive Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich

Casemiro picked up an ankle injury while on international duty with Brazil in October, and hasn't featured for United since. However, the club have confirmed that the midfielder returned to their Carrington training pitch on Sunday, and worked alone while the rest of the squad took part in a recovery session following a 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

Casemiro could now be in contention to feature for United against Bayern at Old Trafford on Tuesday. The 31-year-old bagged two goals against the German outfit on matchday one on the Champions League, but couldn't prevent the Red Devils from falling to a 4-3 defeat. Erik ten Hag's side have since recorded two more losses alongside one draw and a win, which leaves them facing elimination heading into their final group game. United must beat Bayern and hope that Copenhagen and Galatasaray play out a draw in Denmark if they are to progress to the last-16.

United have been hampered by several injuries to key players in the first half of the season, with Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo also only recently returning after lengthy layoffs. Casemiro's appearance in training will come as a boost for Ten Hag after his team's seventh Premier League loss of the season, but Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia are among those who remain on the treatment table with no firm return dates set as of yet.

United fans will hope that Casemiro returns with a spring in his step, having seen the Brazil international struggle for form in the early weeks of the season. He was one of Ten Hag's star players in 2022-23 after moving to Old Trafford from Real Madrid, but is now being linked with a January exit as part of a potential squad overhaul. Casemiro could change that situation with a run of good performances over the festive period, with United set to face Liverpool, West Ham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League before the end of the year.