Michael Carrick has delivered a cryptic update on the fitness of Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt.
United visit Everton on Monday night, but neither Mount nor De Ligt are expected to return from their long-standing injuries for the trip to Bramley-Moore Dock.
Mount has been absent since United beat Fulham 3-2 on February 1, with Carrick later confirming he had suffered a minor injury in training, while De Ligt has been sidelined with a back problem since November.
Speaking earlier this month, Carrick suggested the pair were “not far away” from returning, but he could not provide any positive update ahead of the Everton match.
“Mason (Mount) is getting closer, he explained on Friday. “We have to be patient with him, we don't want to rush anything.
“We want him back and fit. He is getting closer, which is good for us.
“Matthijs, he is working towards it, he is a little bit behind Mason.”
Patrick Dorgu is facing several more weeks out as he continues his recovery from a hamstring tear.
In spite of their injury worries, United have been in impressive form of late, and are yet to taste defeat under Carrick’s leadership.
They drew 2-2 with West Ham last time out, bringing to an end a four-match winning run, but Carrick said he is not panicking about the result.
“We have to be balanced and not get carried away, we are not getting carried away if we don't come away with three points.
“A lot of the performance, in terms of control, we did a lot of good things, we looked dangerous and scoring late was good for us. It was not all negative.”
