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Michael Carrick looks set to make a sooner-than-expected return following the ankle injury he picked up playing for England.

It was feared the Manchester United midfielder had sustained ligament damage after leaving the pitch on a stretcher during the 2-0 defeat to Spain on Friday night.

United are still to confirm the full extent of the injury, with Louis van Gaal set to provide an update on Friday.

But Carrick has been moving comfortably around the club’s Carrington training base, without his foot in a protective cast.

He has also been able to drive himself to training.

It was initially feared the 34-year-old could face six weeks out of action with England manager Roy Hodgson saying: “Michael has got a severely twisted ankle which normally means ligament damage.

“We won’t know that of course until he’s had an X-ray or a scan, but it doesn’t look good.”

United’s own medical staff were due to assess Carrick this week after he was forced to withdraw from the England squad ahead of their game with France this week.

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It is still not clear how long he will be out of action, but it will be a boost to Van Gaal if he returns in time to take part in the hectic Christmas schedule.