Pepe joins to face Manchester United

Pepe is a little closer to the goal of being ready to play the game against Manchester United. Yesterday, he took a small step forward on the recovery and just a week before Ferguson's men visit the Santiago Bernabeu, the center defender was part of the training match managed by Mourinho. One more proof that recovery of the Portuguese player is going well. Last Friday started running and five days later has participated in a game with the rest of his teammates.

Pepe wants to play against Manchester United

If everything continues as these days, the defender will be called up for Real Madrid to play the next Saturday's match against Sevilla. It is possible that he may play in Sevilla. The Spanish League clash before the Champions League match would be the ultimate test to see if Mourinho can count on him or not next Wednesday against Manchester United.

Pepe's return will be conditioned by the physical discomfort of Varane. The Frenchman, who could not play with his national team due to a hamstring problem he suffered in the match against Granada, will be out for a week and will not play against Sevilla. Mourinho will reserve him thinking about Manchester United and that's where Pepe may have options to play against the English team. If Varane recovers late, Mourinho may choose Pepe ahead of Albiol and Carvalho.

Pepe was operated on January 2 with the goal of eliminating the discomfort he had in his right ankle and get fully recovered for the first leg of the last-16 Champions League round against United. In principle, the deadlines are being met and the return of the Portuguese player to training is developing normally.

If Pepe is available for the Champions League clash, Mourinho could have his best defenders to face the English team, after several weeks in which between injuries and suspensions, has been forced to make changes. Only Marcelo has not options to take a place in the starting lineup, because of his bad phisycal condition.