Manchester United boosted by return of Nani

(GETTY IMAGES)

Nani handed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson a boost this morning by returning to training.

The Portugal winger was not expected to be back until after the international break.

He suffered a gashed leg following a challenge by Jamie Carragher in the defeat by Liverpool last week.

Michael Carrick and Michael Owen were also in attendance, following calf and knee injuries, with United tomorrow looking to build on a 0-0 first-leg draw against Marseille in the Champions League.

There was also a surprise appearance by Owen Hargreaves, whose career has been blighted by injury.

He trained away from the main group, as did Park Ji-sung, who has had a hamstring injury.

However, there was no sign of Rio Ferdinand, who has a calf problem, or Darren Fletcher, who has been suffering from a virus.

Anderson, Jonny Evans, Anders Lindegaard and Nemanja Vidic were also absentees from the training ground.