Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed Wayne Rooney has a chance of returning for their Europa League quarter-final second-leg clash against Anderlecht on Thursday.

The 31-year-old missed the last four games for United, due to an ankle injury, however the captain could be named on the bench for their upcoming quarter-final clash at Old Trafford.

Mourinho admits that Rooney has shown him positive signs during training and will be named on the bench for their quarter-finals clash on Thursday.

‘He’s working now, he’s improving and if in this training session [this afternoon] the answer is positive, I would select him to be on the bench tomorrow,’ Mourinho told the Manchester United website.

‘He’s experienced, his know-how of this knockout phase – I think he’s a player that can be useful tomorrow. If we need a goal, he can help us.

‘If we need to keep a result, to keep the ball, to keep control of the game by having possession, he can help us too. So, hopefully his answer in the training session is positive.’

Meanwhile, Mourinho confirmed that Juan Mata, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are still unable for selection as they continue to recover from their respective injuries.

‘[There are] no injuries from the game [against Chelsea] but also nobody recovered so no Mata, Jones, Smalling. They are out and still out. And Wayne is the only one that is possible, if it’s possible,’ He added.

‘I cannot confirm now but the paparazzi that live in the Lowry Hotel, they can take the picture when we go to the hotel at six o’clock and see if Wayne is selected. I would like him to be selected, yes, I would like to have him as an option.’

Manchester United will now welcome Anderlecht to Old Trafford when they two side’s meet in the second-leg of their Europa League quarter-finals encounter on Thursday.

Kick-off has been set for 21:05.