Amad's season isn't over! Ruben Amorim admits Man Utd star could make shock return from injury in time to salvage disappointing campaign

Before he suffered an ankle injury in training that had thought to have ruled him out for the season, Amad had been one of very few bright sparks in the United team this season. The winger, capable of playing across the front-line or at wing-back, had chipped in with six goals and six assists in 22 Premier League games and quickly became a key player under Amorim. Despite those initial fears, the Portuguese coach has suggested he may well return for the latter stages of the Premier League and, more importantly, Europa League campaigns.

Speaking ahead of the Manchester derby, Amorim said of Amad: "He’s doing quite well. We hope to have him before the season is finished. We'll see, but he's anxious to play, so we are waiting for him."

Amad's return would represent a huge boost to the squad and Amorim's attacking options. In a number matches under the new coach, United have often had to rely on the attacking brilliance of Bruno Fernandes to bail them out of trouble and it is hard to imagine Amorim would not want to balance the attacking burden across his forwards. With Champions League qualification via the Premier League all but written off, United will have to put all their eggs in the Europa League basket and will be desperate to have their tricky winger back in time for the later rounds.

With Amad still recovering, United will have to conjure up any result against Manchester City without their star from the reverse fixture. They face their city rivals on Sunday afternoon, buoyed by their Amad-inspired success at the Etihad. This comes before a huge game in Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.