Phil Jones, Ashley Young and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson all returned to action by playing for Manchester United's under-21 side in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea U21s at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Defender Jones (ankle) and forward Young (groin) have both not played for United since being injured in January, while full-back Borthwick-Jackson (shoulder) has not featured for Louis van Gaal's side since late February.
Jones struggled to impress, showing his lack of match fitness, but at least he managed 75 minutes before being substituted.
Young, meanwhile, showed impressive attitude, causing problems to the Chelsea youngsters during his 90 minutes on the field, although he wasted an excellent late headed chance. He was used as a central attacker in the first half then shifted out wide in the second period.
Borthwick-Jackson gave an encouraging display, also playing 90 minutes, and is an option to return for the first team at left-back, with Marcos Rojo having struggled against Everton on Sunday.
Van Gaal and his assistant, Ryan Giggs, both looked on from the directors' box, as the experienced United under-21 side collected a point and moved closer to sealing the title.
Wayne Rooney is set to play in an under-21s game before returning to first-team action and -- as this match came too soon for him -- the next game against Middlesbrough, on Monday, is likely to be targeted. There was also no place for Adnan Januzaj in the squad against Chelsea.
Only two of United's starting eleven against Chelsea had not played for the first team already, but -- in contrast -- the away team started with only one player with first-team experience. That player was Jake Clarke-Salter, who made his Chelsea first-team debut by coming on for the final 16 minutes against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Despite their relative inexperience, Chelsea were the ones who were in front at the half-time interval. They took the lead when Josimar Quintero went down following Paddy McNair's challenge, leading to a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, which Kasey Palmer struck in. The away team almost doubled their lead, just before half-time, when Ola Aina's brilliant volley hit the bar.
Captain James Weir equalised for United in the 61st minute, though, squeezing the ball into the far corner.