Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw ‘make their return from injury in behind-closed-doors friendly for Man United against Burnley’ – with Antony on target in 3-1 defeat

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw reportedly returned for Manchester United in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley at Carrington. 

Former United captain Maguire has been out of action with a groin issue since their clash with Bayern Munich on December 12, while Shaw has also missed their last three Premier League outings in what has been an injury-plagued season for the full-back.

The Red Devils return to action on Sunday in a FA Cup fourth round tie at League Two side Newport County, having not played since their 2-2 draw with Tottenham on January 14. 

Erik ten Hag therefore is keen to build match sharpness, especially among players who have been out of action in recent times.

As reported by the Athletic, United suffered a 3-1 defeat, in which Antony scored their only goal from the penalty spot. 

Maguire has been out of action since suffering a groin injury against Bayern Munich on December 12

Shaw’s season has been plagued with injuries and last featured on December 23

United suffered a 3-1 defeat to Burnley – with Antony (right) scoring from the penalty spot

Maguire and Shaw featured, hinting that both players are close to returning to competitive action.

Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Amad Diallo – who have all overcome their own respective injuries and are returning to fitness – are also said to have featured in the game.  

During United’s last outing against Tottenham, Martinez returned as a substitute after four months out of action.

Casemiro returned to the bench but didn’t make it out onto the pitch, while Amad missed the Tottenham game having featured only once this season as a substitute at Nottingham Forest on December 30. 

It is not the first time that Burnley are said to have beaten United at Carrington this season, after the Clarets beat the Red Devils 3-0 in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly in August.

On that occasion, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Jay Rodriguez and Zeki Amdouni all scored for Vincent Kompany’s side.

There has been no word as to who scored for the Clarets in the reported game that took place on Wednesday. 

The returns of Maguire (left) and Shaw (right) offers United a boost as they close in on a return to competitive action

Erik ten Hag (right) was focusing more on improving player fitness rather than the result

The result will give relegation strugglers Burnley a boost before their season gets back underway with a trip to Vincent Kompany’s former side Manchester City next week

The recent 3-1 win at Carrington would be a boost for Kompany’s side, who are 19th in the Premier League and don’t play again until January 31 when the Belgian returns to the Etihad to play Man City. 

Ten Hag will hope his side can pick up some form following the winter break, with his side eighth in the table – 11 points outside the top four and with just one win in their last five league outings.