Another defender nears full fitness

Exciting times for Manchester United's injury crisis. Like an overpriced yet inexplicably popular nightclub, it seems to be adopting a one in, one out policy. Welcome to AONZ. Six pounds a pint. Don't dance too hard, you'll sprain something.

Anyway, as Angel di Maria limps onto the injury carousel, another exciting, thrilling, arousing South American hops and skips off. Yes, Rafael is back in training, and while the midweek home game against Stoke City comes a little too soon for tBB's five-time Player of the Year, he could, should the Telegraph's information be accurate, return against Southampton next weekend.

Jonny Evans is also apparently nearing a comeback, though now that Chris Smalling is the best defender in the world and a lethal goalscorer it's difficult to see where he gets into the side. However, Phil Jones' shin splints are still a problem, Luke Shaw's out until January, and it's starting to look unlikely that Bill Foulkes will ever recover from dying last November.