Man Utd coach Mark Dempsey closing in on return to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plans to welcome Mark Dempsey back into the fold at Manchester United after the coach was rushed to hospital during the summer tour of Australia and Asia.

Dempsey flew home early ‘due to the intensity’ of United’s pre-season schedule and has not resumed his role in Solskjaer’s back room team since.

It is understood the 55-year-old has been back to the club’s Carrington training ground on at least two occasions, but that is not believed to have been in an official capacity.

Dempsey was considered an important part of Solskjaer’s coaching team, playing a pivotal role in day-to-day sessions alongside Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick.

He is also a close confidant of Solskjaer, having worked with him at Cardiff and Molde.

United’s manager intends to give Dempsey every opportunity to resume his career at the club, but it’s understood he will be eased back into his role once he is ready to get back to work.

Dempsey fell ill at United’s team hotel during the first leg of their tour in Australia in July and was rushed to Royal Perth Infirmary by ambulance.

The full details of illness have never been officially confirmed.

At the time a statement read only: “Mark Dempsey will be discharged from hospital following assessment and treatment. Due to the intensity of the Tour schedule we have decided together it’s best for him to return home.”

Solskjaer added in Perth: “I've been to see him today and we've agreed it's best he'll return home now and then we'll see him when we come back.”

Dempsey has not been replaced, with McKenna and Carrick taking charge of coaching as a duo in the early weeks of the season.