Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa has made an early return to training with his teammates.

The Japanese international had originally been expected to be out of action until later this month with a knee problem.

However, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that the complaint has healed up better than what had been originally anticipated.

"Shinji Kagawa's injury has been longer than we thought. He's much better now and I don't think he's far away now," Ferguson told reporters.

Ferguson went on to hint that the 23-year-old could be on the bench for tomorrow's Champions League tie with CFR Cluj.