Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo back for Manchester United

United manager Louis van Gaal revealed that Colombia striker Falcao and Argentina defender Rojo, who had been out with calf and shoulder injuries respectively, are in line to return pending progress in a final training session.

The Dutchman shared the news in his Friday press conference ahead of the weekend match, explaining that a final decision on the duo will be made after afternoon training.

"We have to wait and see until the last training session of course," Van Gaal said.

"It’s always difficult to say but we have good news, yes. You have to read between the lines.

"I have to train the last session, and I live day-by-day at this moment. So maybe Falcao can come back in the 18 [matchday squad], maybe Rojo can come back in the 18. That’s it I think."

The news that both men are back in contention is a huge boost to United, who have lost a dozen players to injury this season. Falcao had been out since the start of October, while Rojo has missed almost all of November after dislocating his shoulder in the Manchester Derby at the beginning of the month.

However, Luke Shaw (ankle) is out for several weeks, as is Daley Blind (knee).

Shaw twister his ankle badly in the match against Arsenal last week, and his initial recovery period of two weeks is now expected to stretch into the new year.

Van Gaal did not specify, but did confirm that Shaw will be out for "a few weeks".

Provisional squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Vermijl, Rojo, Smalling, Blackett, Thorpe, McNair, Pereira, Fletcher, Valencia, Lingard, Fellaini, Anderson, Carrick, Young, Herrera, Mata, Januzaj, Di Maria, Falcao, Rooney, Van Persie, W Keane.