Nani returns to training ahead of Manchester United-Marseille clash

• Carrick, Owen and Nani all train at Carrington
• Midfielder Hargreaves also involved in light training

Nani, the Manchester United winger, trains at Carrington today ahead of Tuesday's home match with Marseille. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Nani handed the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, a boost 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 looking to build on a 0-0 first-leg draw against Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday.

There was also a surprise appearance by Owen Hargreaves, whose career has been blighted by injury, although the midfielder is not part of United's Champions League squad. 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 absent from training.

Photo by AP

Chris Smalling said United were confident of progressing to the quarter-finals but were wary of allowing Marseille an away goal.

"It's a bit of a dangerous scoreline with the way the away goals rule works," the defender said. "It makes things interesting for the neutrals, but a bit nerve-wracking for the players and the fans.

"You could see that Marseille wanted to keep a clean sheet and they were well set up in that sense. They're a good side. It was an edgy game over there with neither side wanting to give the other too much encouragement."

"From our point of view we need to keep things tight at the back because if they score it'll mean we need to score twice.

"You don't want to risk conceding the away goal, but I think the manager will want us to go at them. Being at home is a massive advantage for us and we're confident of going out there and getting the result."


 Source : www.guardian.co.uk