Manchester United injury list: Ander Herrera and Jonny Evans close to return after starring for U-21s

Herrera scored the second goal in United's 5-0 win over Blackburn

Ander Herrera (GETTY IMAGES)

Louis van Gaal has received a timely injury boost after Ander Herrera played a full 90 minutes for Manchester United U-21s.

The Spanish midfielder, who cost United £28m in the summer, scored a well-taken goal in last night's 5-0 victory over Blackburn, with Jonny Evans continuing his own comeback from injury by playing 64 minutes.

The pair have been absent from the first team since late September – Herrera fractured a rib during a 2-1 win over West Ham, while Evans suffered an ankle injury when United lost 5-3 to Leicester.

Watch Herrera's goal:

Courtesy of MUTV

The return of the Northern Ireland centre-back will be particularly welcome news for Van Gaal, whose defensive options have been decimated by injuries.

Luke Shaw became the latest of 40 players to succumb to injury since Van Gaal took the reigns at Old Trafford when he limped out of Saturday's 2-1 victory over Arsenal with an ankle problem.

He joins fellow defenders Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Rafael, and Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, in being unavailable for Saturday's clash with Hull at Old Trafford.

Adnan Januzaj, who was an unused substitute at the Emirates last weekend, pressed his own claim for a first-team place, playing the full match and assisting Herrera's 27th-minute goal.