Obertan eyes United recall

Gabriel Obertan is hoping his hard work in training will lead to a recall to the Manchester United team for the final games of the season.

The French winger joined United on a four-year contract from Bordeaux last summer, although his debut was delayed until October due to a back injury.

He has made a total of 12 appearances for the Red Devils, but has started only once in the Premier League and has yet to score for the club.

Obertan has not figured for the first team since the 3-1 defeat at Everton in February, but was on the bench for Sunday's 0-0 draw at Blackburn Rovers.

The 21-year-old scored the winner for the reserves against Liverpool on Tuesday night in front of Sir Alex Ferguson and hopes that will boost his prospects of featuring in the remaining four matches of the campaign.

"It is good for the confidence to score some goals and good when the manager is watching the game," Obertan told MUTV.

"There are four matches left in the Premier League so it would be nice to be able to have a few minutes on the pitch.

"It's been a bit difficult the last couple of months, but I've worked hard with the reserves and in training, and it is paying off."

Meanwhile, reports in France have claimed Obertan could be loaned back to a Ligue 1 club next season, with St Etienne leading the hunt ahead of Nancy, Paris St Germain and Rennes.