Man Utd injury update as Michael Carrick admits 'difficult' situation with absent star

Michael Carrick has issued two Manchester United injury updates ahead of the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace . Mason Mount and Matthijs De Ligt are two of the notable absentees for United, with Carrick on hand to issue new fitness verdicts on both.

He said: "Mason (Mount) is getting closer, he’s on the grass, he’s looking to train and be around it. We’ve just had to be patient really. Matthijs (De Ligt) has had a back issue, which has been a little bit sore to progress really. He’s heading in the right direction."

On the latter, Carrick added: "It’s the nature of the injury, the issue in the back, it’s a difficult one to pin down time wise. He’s definitely improving." De Ligt has been unavailable since early December with his last appearance coincidentally the reverse fixture against the Eagles.

Mount meanwhile, has missed the last few weeks and looks set for a return soon given Carrick's update. Having not played since late January, the English midfielder is more likely to return next Wednesday away at Newcastle as opposed to this Sunday's visit of Palace.

Lisandro Martinez is one player that could be back this weekend despite picking up a recent injury which saw him miss Monday's 1-0 win over Everton with a calf injury . Carrick revealed before that clash that it was a minor injury and it did not look too bad.

Bryan Mbeumo hobbled off at Hill Dickinson Stadium earlier this week, but has since been training and with no mention of injury, the suggestion is that he is fine.

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It is likely to be another few more weeks before Patrick Dorgu is back in action however, with the Denmark international recovering from a hamstring injury.

Despite having no European or cup fixtures remaining this season, United are set to play twice in four days with game week 29 of the Premier League brought forward by a few days to accommodate the FA Cup fifth round.

United were knocked out at the first stage of that competition by Brighton and thus do not play Aston Villa until 11 days after their trip to St James' Park.

Unai Emery's side are one of United's Champions League qualification rivals with Liverpool and Chelsea also competing for what looks to be three spots.

The latter are in action at leaders Arsenal this weekend with Liverpool hosting West Ham and both of those games come after Villa's trip to Wolves on Friday evening.