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Michael Carrick has recovered from illness and could return for Manchester United against West Ham on Monday after he travelled down to London with the squad but Wayne Rooney and Daley Blind were not present.

Carrick was with United teammates and staff members as they arrived at Stockport Station for their train journey down to the capital on New Year's Day.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Ashley Young and Matteo Darmian are all in contention to return to the squad after they missed out against Middlesbrough.

Among United's other absentees were Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was recalled to the matchday squad against Middlesbrough. Eric Bailly is unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations, Luke Shaw is recovering from injury, while Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis are expected to move this month.

Rooney missed United's last two wins against Sunderland and Middlesbrough with a thigh injury and might have to wait until Reading's FA Cup visit on Saturday to be restored to Jose Mourinho's side.

Young has not been included in the last three squads despite being involved in the build-up against West Brom and Sunderland, while Darmian has not featured in the last two games after a lengthy run at left-back.

(Image: Eamonn and James Clarke)

Fosu-Mensah has made just five appearances this term and last started for United in September.

Monday's match is United's second in three days and Mourinho discussed the difficulties of preparing for such a gruelling run after the New Year's Eve triumph over Boro.

"It’s a challenge for everybody but Chelsea, as they play only on the 4th," Mourinho told MUTV. "Tottenham play tomorrow [Sunday] and then on the 4th. For us and West Ham it’s the same - difficult. Middlesbrough play at 12 o’clock, so less than 48 hours. It’s very hard, especially when you see the intensity of this game.

(Image: Eamonn and James Clarke)

"You can imagine that people need to rest, but there is no time to rest, so let’s go to London and enjoy the game against West Ham and try to get the points."

"The Red family are happy for New Year’s Eve," Mourinho added. "I hope they enjoy the night – family, health and happiness are more important than football.

"But clubs are a part of people's lives and can create even more happiness in families, so I’m sure they will enjoy tonight after this result. And, as I wrote in my programme notes, if you drive, drink water!"

(Image: Eamonn and James Clarke)

The manner of United's victory over Middlesbrough delighted supporters - as well as Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He deserves to come here and for people to remember the game not just for his 75th birthday but also for the kind of football we played," Mourinho said of the Scot. "And the fact that we managed to bring the fans to the pitch.

"In the last 20 minutes, the fans were on the pitch – they were not in the stands. And this is a credit to the players, who showed amazing character to go and go and go and go. This time we were successful and it's three more points."

Confirmed United squad members

De Gea

Romero

Johnstone

Fosu-Mensah

Valencia

Darmian

Smalling

Jones

Rojo

Herrera

Carrick

Pogba

Fellaini

Young

Mata

Lingard

Mkhitaryan

Martial

Ibrahimovic

Rashford