Petrucci nears long-awaited return

After almost nine frustrating months on the sidelines, United’s highly-rated Italian midfielder Davide Petrucci is apparently close to a return to action.

Last seen in United colours back on January 28th when captaining the U18s in their FA Youth Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers, the gifted 19 year-old has missed the bulk of 2010 with what is thought to be a similar pelvic or groin injury to that which also ruled him out for eight months in 2009. While news has been scarce on the exact nature of Petrucci’s ailment and the progress of his recovery, he is believed to have spent much of the time rehabiliting in his homeland and is now back at Carrington, seemingly with an end to his injury hell in sight.

Academy advisor Les Kershaw, speaking in his role as co-commentator during the U18s’ 4-3 defeat to Everton at the weekend, informed MUTV viewers of the good news regarding the young Roman. “It was good to see Davide Petrucci back at Carrington,” said the former director of the Reds’ Academy. “He says his body is feeling good. He’s had terrible problems in the groin area, but he was very bright and felt he was coming to the right end of the tunnel“.

That insight was then corroborated by Kershaw’s commentary colleague, MUTV’s Reserves and Academy expert David Stowell, who tweeted: “Petrucci update: Davide’s back in training @ Carrington in v good spirits. Looking forward to seeing him back in action when time’s right“. That last point is particularly pertinent, as United are unlikely to rush the former Roma youngster back in action until he’s completely ready, but after having an impressive start to his Old Trafford career wrecked by growth-related injuries, everyone of a Red persuasion will be desperate to see a promising career get back on track as soon as possible.