Manchester United may have been handed a significant injury boost ahead of this month’s Europa League final against Tottenham in Bilbao.
The Premier League clubs secured their places in the final following semi-final victories over Athletic Club and Bodo/Glimt respectively.
After disappointing domestic campaigns, both teams now have a major opportunity to salvage their seasons with silverware and Champions League qualification.
With just weeks to go until the final on Wednesday, May 21, United could be boosted by the return of striker Joshua Zirkzee.
The Dutchman has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since last month and was initially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
However, Zirkzee appears to have told his friend - and Bayern Munich star - Alphonso Davies, via a Twitch stream, that there’s a chance he could be fit in time to face Spurs.
When asked about his recovery timeline, the forward admitted it would be difficult, but not impossible, to be ready for Bilbao.
Ange Postecoglou, on the other hand, is facing a number of injury concerns of his own, with several players already ruled out for the rest of the season. Lucas Bergvall is among them after tweaking ankle ligaments earlier this month, while James Maddison became the latest to join the season-ending injury list earlier this week.
Following his injury heartbreak, Maddison wrote on social media on Friday: "Gutted. Just absolutely gutted.
"We’ve had our sights on that European final in Bilbao from day one of this campaign. So to accept not being able to take part out on that pitch with the boys is really tough to take. Injuries are just part of this game that can be so cruel at times. But I truly believe that it can be a special night for my football club.
"Bring on the 21st. All together."
Club captain Son Heung-min also faces a race against time to be fit for the final. He has been sidelined for a number of weeks and will need to clock up some much-needed minutes before the squad travel to Bilbao in 11 days’ time.
Spurs haven’t featured in a European final since their Champions League defeat to Liverpool in Madrid in 2019. United, by contrast, last reached the Europa League final in the 2020/21 season, where they were edged out on penalties by La Liga side Villarreal.