The damage was not serious enough to require surgery, but Cresswell's rehabilitation seemed certain to go on into the second half of the Championship campaign.
But he is a month ahead of schedule after an intense programme of fitness work, and Kevin Blackwell may be able to recall him during the festive period.
United face four games in the space of seven days over Christmas and New Year, and Cresswell's rapid progress has put him in line for an early recall.
Blackwell said in the Yorkshire Evening Post: "Cressy's a very hard worker and that's why I brought him here. He's phenomenal in training. He's maybe three or four weeks ahead of most people, and that's an accolade to him."
Meanwhile, Sean Gregan and Rui Marques were late withdrawals from the trip to Southampton after contracting 'flu.