Manchester United have been given a boost as two first-team stars, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez, have been spotted back at Carrington, with the former said to have resumed full training and the centre-back stepped up his recovery.
The club confirmed that Shaw, who has been out of the Man United squad for three months with a muscle injury, returned to training with the rest of the group on Wednesday.
Erik ten Hag has had to experiment with a number of individuals at left-back in the meantime, with Tyrell Malacia also injured and Sergio Reguilón in and out of the squad with various knocks, leaving right-back Diogo Dalot and midfield signing Sofyan Amrabat to fill in among other makeshift replacements.
The England international’s return will no doubt prove a huge boost to the Dutchman’s backline and general squad depth as the Red Devils have been riddled with injury problems throughout the year, and the return of Martinez to the Carrington Training Complex will no doubt give supporters added hope too.
Luke Shaw is back in training and could be in contention for the United bench this weekend.
Now a World Cup winner with Argentina, the 25-year-old was one of ten Hag’s key signings and quickly became a fan favourite, however, after doing yet more damage to his metatarsal — the same injury that wiped him out for a large chunk of last season — the Reds have once again had to do without him.
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While the former Ajax man isn’t due to return until 2024, his return to Carrington marks a positive step in his individual recovery and, in the case of United fans, could mean they could expect a comeback not long after the Christmas period.
As two of the first names on starting 11 when everyone is fit, Shaw’s imminent return and Martinez’s eventual reintegration could hugely benefit results at Old Trafford and on the road in what has been another up-and-down campaign for the red half of Manchester.
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On the other hand, believe it or not, United are actually the most in-form team in the Premier League at present, with four wins in their last five matches and a very winnable fixture against Everton up next following the end of the international break.
Nevertheless, even having Shaw available for selection again will allow the manager to put players back in the right position and when Martinez does gradually return in the new year, his options and ability to rotate in the Champions League will improve even more.
Man United currently sit sixth in the league, seven points off leaders Man City on 28 and with plenty of teams only a point or two behind them.
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It’s not even Christmas yet, of course, and it’s still a long old season but it’s looking like we might have another gripping title race on our hands.
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
23rd November 2023 
