Marcus Rashford is set to be available for Manchester United against Newcastle after missing international duty with England through injury.
The 25-year-old star, who's in red-hot form, pulled out of the latest Three Lions squad and instead jetted off to New York City with his girlfriend - a decision which Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag backed. Now the pair are both aligned on picking up three points at St James' Park this Sunday in a game which could go a long way in helping or hindering United's top-four hopes.
Newcastle are also aiming to finish in the Champions League spots and a win would see them leapfrog Ten Hag's side into third place. After a dour 0-0 draw in the Premier League earlier this season, United got one over on the Magpies in February to end their six-year trophy drought and lift the Carabao Cup at Wembley, pulling off a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Rashford and team-mate Casemiro were on the scoresheet that day, but the latter won't be available in the north east. Having been sent off against Southampton before the international break, Casemiro will serve the second match of his four-game suspension, leaving Ten Hag with a dilemma in midfield.
After Marcel Sabitzer picked up a minor injury on international duty with Austria and has only just recovered, Scott McTominay is expected to be the man to deputise for Casemiro alongside Fred in midfield. McTominay is coming off the back of scoring four goals in two games for Scotland, including a brace in Tuesday's memorable 2-0 win at home to Spain.
He and Fred are set to shield a back four made up of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, who'll of course be in front of goalkeeper David de Gea. In the forward positions, Anthony is poised to start on the right flank, with Rashford on the left and Bruno Fernandes in the middle supporting striker Wout Weghorst.
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Ahead of the game, Ten Hag said he had "good hope" that Rashford would play and also defended Weghorst's role as he looks to improve his torrid run of only one goal in his last 17 games for club and country. "He's doing a really good job for us," the Red Devils boss said of his Dutch compatriot, who's on loan from Burnley. "He is the leader of our press and links up really well. He makes good movements and makes space for others and is good in set-plays. He is really contributing to this team."
Weghorst, 30, could soon himself in a fight to keep the No.9 role, with Anthony Martial back in training and expected to return to the fold either against Newcastle or in Wednesday's home game against Brentford. "He is training. So, for two weeks now," Ten Hag revealed pre-match. "I think he can be in the squad for Sunday."
Man Utd predicted line-up vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
