Manchester United’s forgotten forward returns to training

'In the shape of his life' and gunning for a return to the senior squad.

Nick Powell was signed as a good prospect for the future. Three years on and he has only played seven times for the club. The 21-year-old forward, who was one of Alex Ferguson's final signings, in 2012, and he scored a goal on his league debut. He was loaned out to Wigan the following season and scored seven goals in 32 appearances. He was loaned to Leicester City in 2014 and made his last United appearance in last season's League Cup exit to MK Dons. In February, Powell badly injured his hamstring and missed the rest of the season. His future at United looked bleak, this summer, when Louis van Gaal opted against giving him a squad number. However, Powell is back in training and impressing his coaches. In an interview with the club website, United U21 coach Martin Joyce raved about Powell. Nick's worked extremely hard. It's been a testing time, as you expect when you're injured and obviously out for this amount of time with an injury. But his attitude has been outstanding in the gym and out on the training field. "I think, to be fair, he is looking in the best condition he has ever been in his life. Hopefully, he kicks on with that now when the games start coming. "There is no doubt how much talent he has got. Some of the stuff you see from him is outstanding. He's a high top-level talent so hopefully he can get a run of matches." Joyce believes the England U21 international can break into Louis van Gaal's senior side again if he stays injury free. "When he came back here from his loan spells away, I thought he was flying before he got injured. "People forget how young he is. He is still a young player with a very bright career in front of him. "Like everything, he needs a little bit of luck and has got to be in the right place at the right time to grab an opportunity and make the most of it." Powell's first game back, with the U21s, is expected to be against Norwich on November 23. If he comes through that, he may be elevated to the senior squad or van Gaal could loan him out to gain further experience. The last thing the Dutchman needs is another striker.