Daley Blind has returned to full training as he prepares to make his Manchester United comeback in 2015.
The Netherlands international suffered a knee injury playing in his national team's 6-0 win over Latvia in November and has missed United's subsequent eight games.
But now he is working again with United's first-team squad and posted a message on his Instagram page, reading: "The football boots are back! Started training outside again, great feeling!"
Manager Louis van Gaal said on Tuesday that Blind is not in contention for United's Boxing Day fixture against Newcastle United and he is also set to miss Sunday's visit to Tottenham Hotspur.
United are without three central midfielders at the moment but Marouane Fellaini, who has been ill, and Ander Herrera, who had a minor muscle injury, are expected to be fit again before Blind.
The 24-year-old made eight appearances for United after completing a 14 million-pound move from Ajax on the final day of the transfer window.