Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed Romelu Lukaku is fit and available to face Derby County in the Emirates FA Cup third round on Friday night.

The Belgium international and our top scorer for the season received a heavy blow to the head during the Premier League match against Southampton last Saturday. He was taken off in the first half of that game and subsequently missed the impressive victory against former club Everton on New Year's Day.

In an interview with MUTV on Thursday, Mourinho exclusively revealed the big man is ready to return.

"Romelu is back, Romelu is back," Jose told Gemma Thompson. "As I said it was not a concussion, it was a precaution, a protection for him. He wanted to play against Everton, but this time he is back."

Later on, in the press conference, Mourinho admitted he will start Sergio Romero over David De Gea in the anticipated cup tie. "I'm going to play Romero because Romero is a top, top goalkeeper and he deserves to play," the boss told reporters at the Aon Training Complex. "David deserves a rest. 

"And Romero's going to be the Argentina goalkeeper in the World Cup in a few months, so for all what Romero means to us, Romero plays and I am going to play what I consider to be a very strong team."

The manager also provided updates on the fitness of recent absentees Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia, who are all edging closer to making their respective comebacks.

"From the injured players, Fellaini is back," Jose said. "And Michael Carrick is back to training, not to competition, but is back to training with the team. Antonio Valencia will be back to the team next week, so he is not playing tomorrow but will be back to the team next week. The situation is improving for us."