Erik ten Hag has admitted he holds 'good hope' that Marcus Rashford will be fit for this weekend's trip to Newcastle and the Manchester United forward is expected to start.
United travel to St James' Park on Sunday afternoon in what's set to be a huge clash in the race for the top four, with someone guaranteed to drop points. Ten Hag's side go into the weekend third but could be fifth come Monday evening and full-time in Tottenham's trip to Everton.
The Dutchman will hope to have a full crop to choose from and will feel grateful his players largely came back from international duty unharmed - Marcel Sabitzer alleviating concerns of a serious issue by being involved in first-team training on Thursday.
ALSO READ: Every word from Erik ten Hag's pre-Newcastle press conference
The main concern was Rashford, who was forced to pull out of international duty after picking up an injury in the FA Cup win over Fulham. The 25-year-old joined full group training on Friday and Ten Hag hopes to have his top-scorer fit to start in his usual role.
Wout Weghorst has started every game since joining on loan from Burnley and notched up another 148 minutes with the Netherlands over the break. The Dutchman enjoyed one of his better games in the Carabao Cup win over Newcastle and is expected to perform a similar role on Sunday.
Despite being called up for the Brazil squad over the break, Antony enjoyed a rest with his side only playing once against Morocco and the winger featuring for just 26 minutes. He is expected to be fresh enough to start come Sunday with Jadon Sancho benched.
It is in the midfield that decisions need to be made with Casemiro serving the second of his four-game ban. Scott McTominay sensationally scored four goals in two games for Scotland but the versatile midfielder could be dropped into a more defensive role alongside Fred and the ever-present Bruno Fernandes.
Similarly to Antony, Lisandro Martinez was handed a well-deserved rest while away with Argentina, playing 45 minutes against Panama before being an unused sub against Curacao. The 25-year-old is expected to start alongside his usual partner Raphael Varane.
Fresh from the news he is close to agreeing a new four-year contract, Luke Shaw will retain his place at left-back, following. brief rest after being suspended for England's second game against Ukraine earlier this week. On the opposite side, Aaron Wan-Bissaka's involvement in training this past fortnight could hand him the advantage over Diogo Dalot, with David de Gea the obvious choice between the posts.
Ten Hag also confirmed he is hopeful that Anthony Martial could return after training for two or three weeks, the Frenchman likely to appear on the substitute bench come Sunday.
Predicted XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Martinez, Varane, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Antony, Rashford, Weghorst.
READ NEXT
