Brentford get huge early fitness boost for Man Utd clash as 29-goal pair set for reunion

Bryan Mbuemo could make his long-awaited return from injury when Brentford face Manchester United later this month after returning to training this week.

The 24-year-old suffered a serious ankle injury during Brentford's 2-1 defeat against Brighton in December. Despite initially trying to play on, the severity required surgery and he has been out for almost three months since.

Mbuemo was spotted in Brentford training earlier this week to great fanfare among supporters but will not be rushed back due to the length of absence. Thomas Frank's side host United at the Gtech Community Stadium on March 30 and the winger could return by then in what would be a huge boost for the Bees.

“I'm feeling really well. I've been waiting for his moment for a while and I'm happy to come back and be with the boys even if it's only a few parts of training,” Mbuemo told Brentford’s in-house media team. “I need to get my fitness back, get my sessions back on the pitch as well so it will take a few weeks. I'm just happy to be with the boys on the pitch.”

There are just over three weeks until Brentford host United, making it a realistic target for Mbuemo to return. Despite being out for three months, the Cameroon international remains his side's top-scorer in the Premier League with seven goals.

His comeback would also signal the return of Brentford's deadly attacking duo for the first time this season, with Ivan Toney only returning from an eight-month ban in January, by which time Mbuemo was already injured. Last season, the pair racked up 29 goals and 12 assists between them in the league.

United will hope to welcome back some of their own stars, having been without nine players for Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Manchester City while Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans were forced off mid-game. Erik ten Hag's side welcome relegation candidates Everton and Sheffield United to Old Trafford and have an FA Cup quarter-final at Liverpool before their trip to Brentford.