Manchester United welcome back both Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling for the visit of Bayern Munich (Picture: AP Photo/)

Manchester United have been handed a sizable boost ahead of the clash with European champions Bayern Munich.

Both Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling made their return to first team training following significant spells on the side-lines through injury. It is a real boost to United as both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are doubts ahead of the visit of the Bavarian giants.

Evans has been missing since the start of February when the Northern Ireland international picked up a calf injury in the defeat to Stoke City, whilst Chris Smalling has not played any part since the victory over West Brom due to a hamstring problem.



United boss David Moyes will gladly welcome back the two centre-halves with midfielder Michael Carrick having to fill in at the back on several occasions in the last fortnight.


With the fantastic attacking talents at Bayern Munich’s disposal it is likely United will need the natural defensive ability of Evans as opposed to Carrick as well as a fully fit back four to try and keep the visitors’ attacking talents quiet.

Courtesy of Patrice Evra’s yellow card in the 3-0 victory over Olympiacos the experienced Frenchman, who is out of contract at Old Trafford in the summer, will miss tomorrow’s clash with Bayern through suspension.

Deputy full-back Alexander Buttner is likely to be entrusted with the task of shackling his countryman Arjen Robben, who gave Arsenal endless problems in the previous round.

Alexander Buttner looked more than capable defensively against Aston Villa (Picture: Reuters)

Buttner had not featured too heavily since Christmas with Moyes sticking with Evra for the majority of matches. However since it became apparent that Evra would not be eligible to face Pep Guardiola’s side, the manager has looked to hand game time to Buttner wherever possible.

Whilst not a household name, Buttner has very rarely, if at all, let Manchester United down in his two year spell with the English champions.

Despite this, Butter is often slightly clumsy when going into challenges which could be a slight risk against a player who certainly isn’t averse to making the most of a tackle. However, Buttner’s display against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon where he managed to keep both the frighteningly quick Gabriel Agbonlahor and Marc Albrighton out of the game completely is likely to give the Dutchman a needed boost in confidence.

Buttner seemed in a confident mood with the former Vitesse Arnhem full-back declaring himself ‘ready’ to face Robben.

‘I feel confident about playing them,’ he said. ‘I know what Arjen Robben can do and I am ready for him. I have watched him so I know how he plays.’

United may have to do without the right hand pairing of Rafael and Antonio Valencia with the Brazilian full-back absent from training today, whilst Valencia is a fitness worry having missed the clash with Villa through a bout of tendinitis.



It may well be the case that Moyes looks to surprise Munich and include Nani in the starting line-up for the first time since before Christmas.

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