Ritchie had surgery on his shoulder after an awkward collision in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in late September.
The winger – who was expected to be out for two months – is edging closer to a comeback. The club has posted a photograph of Ritchie out on the training pitch ahead ahead of next weekend’s game against Chelsea with the caption “back soon”.
The 31-year-old – who signed a new contract at United earlier this year, and was a target for former club Bournemouth in the summer – could be in contention for the behind-closed-doors Premier League fixture at St James’s Park.
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Meanwhile, striker Callum Wilson and winger Ryan Fraser are sidelined with hamstring injuries. Wilson limped out of Friday night’s 2-0 defeat to Southampton, while Fraser had a scan before the game at the St Mary’s Stadium.
