Erik ten Hag insists the performances of Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer during the international break are testament to the work being done at Manchester United this season.
McTominay enjoyed an incredible break with Scotland, scoring four times in two games as his side beat Cyprus and Spain - form that led to some calls for the Reds man to be handed a chance up front for his club. Sabitzer, meanwhile, netted a brace against Azerbaijan that included a wonderful free-kick.
The pair were standout performers in a break that saw several Reds performing brilliantly for their countries, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot taking their club form onto the international stage. and Ten Hag believes it is yet more proof of the good work being done at Carrington.
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"I am proud of it because it also tells something about Manchester United and the process we are in, the Dutchman told club media when asked specifically about McTominay and Sabitzer. "That our players are in action and in form, and during the whole season you see [that] and you feel them progressing across the whole season. So they show it also for their nations and it's good to see that most of the nations performed really well."
Both McTominay and Sabitzer could be involved against Newcastle on Sunday, with Casemiro serving the second of a four-game suspension after being sent off against Southampton. United can pull clear of Eddie Howe's side and Tottenham to cement their place in third, but Ten Hag knows it will be no easy task.
"It is and we are looking forward to a big test and big challenges and it is a very good team, a very good manager," Ten Hag said. "Their way of play is really well structured, so we have to play our best football, we know that. But we, as I said, we like the challenges, and we are really looking forward to Sunday."
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