Fortune’s versatility has been sorely missed by United, who have been hit by a barrage of injuries in midfield and defence – both areas where the 28-year-old has played in recent seasons.

However, Fortune finally returned to training yesterday.

Providing he suffers no reaction, the former Atletico Madrid man will probably be pencilled in for a reserve-team outing by Alex Ferguson at some stage over the next few weeks.

There is no chance of Fortune turning out in Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Liverpool - but there is more optimistic news on Edwin van der Sar and Ryan Giggs, who were both replaced at half-time during Saturday’s win at Portsmouth.

Van der Sar was suffering from a groin injury, while Giggs aggravated a minor thigh problem.

Both men should be available for the trip to Anfield – as well as captain Gary Neville, who was omitted from the Portsmouth encounter altogether with a slight muscular injury.