The fans afforded the centre-back a moving ovation when he produced an excellent display on his senior return, against Wolves at Old Trafford, and he also came off the bench in the Emirates FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough.
It has been a long road back for the 30-year-old but he is feeling strong and hopeful of making more appearances before the season is out.
Just getting back out on the field was one of the highlights of his career, and he explained why he was so emotional at the end of the Wolves clash during an exclusive interview with club media.