Rafael will return with protective mask after successful cheekbone surgery

Manchester United have been handed an injury boost with right back Rafael apparently returning to training this week despite fracturing his cheekbone.

The Brazilian suffered the injury before half-time during the Red Devils' 2-0 FA Cup win away to Yeovil and manager Louis van Gaal was quoted as saying that "it wasn't looking good" for the 24-year-old. But Rafael could return sooner than anticipated after he posted a picture on Instagram of him post-surgery, claiming that he would return to training at Carrington later this week. http://instagram.com/p/xhs6ERtVwi/?modal=true The fact that a mask would protect his healing injury would suggest that he could even start United's next game, when they host Southampton on Sunday. And if he does, we urge him to make the ultimate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reference by fashioning his protective gear around Raphael, our favourite character from the cartoon. Just a thought! An awesome thought!