Marcus Rashford will start for Manchester United when they take on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
Manchester United will be eager to get back to winning ways when they lock horns with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday evening. And Erik ten Hag has seen his squad’s injury woes ease up heading into the latest fixture.
Marcus Rashford, Raphael Varane, and Marcel Sabitzer have all shaken off minor injuries. In addition, Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial have trained this week. That leaves Tom Heaton (ankle), Donny van de Beek (knee), Alejandro Garnacho (ankle), and Casemiro (suspended) on the sidelines.
Erik ten Hag discussed several players ahead of the game, most importantly Rashford. The Dutch tactician also spoke about the potential availability of Martial and Eriksen against Newcastle United this weekend.
He said, “I think so. He [Rashford] returned back into the team training on Friday so we are quite positive that he’s available for Sunday. So, of course, we are happy with that because he’s a very important player for us.”
“It’s quite positive about all of the players. Christian Eriksen is back on the pitch, not yet in the team training but I expect him in the coming week, [or] weeks, back in team training so will be available for games again.”
“So we know how big an impact Christian Eriksen had on our game, but also others, like Anthony Martial, are also returning in team training and [there were] no injuries, luckily, from the internationals. That’s always a concern as a manager when the players leave you, how you get them back and, especially, in this stage of the season when it comes to the end, to the final stage.”
Rashford should be fit enough to start after resting during the international break. The English international will likely join Bruno Fernandes, Antony, and Wout Weghorst in the final third. And Antony will replace Jadon Sancho on the right flank.
Meanwhile, Sabitzer has shaken off a knock he picked up during the international break. The Austrian international will thus line up alongside Scott McTominay in the double pivot in the middle of the park. Fred will thus be an option on the bench.
Meanwhile, Varane is likely fit enough to return to the central defensive pairing. The French centre-back will replace Harry Maguire as Lisandro Martinez’s partner. Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw will continue as the full-backs. And finally, David de Gea picks himself between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, McTominay; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
