Newcastle United have been handed a massive boost to their chances of securing Champions League football for next season after Manchester United announced Marcus Rashford will miss their next 'few games'.
The England international has been pivotal in manager Erik ten Hag's first season at Old Trafford, but was withdrawn in the 80th minute of their 2-0 win over Everton with an apparent knock.
Now he's been ruled out for the near future, meaning that the Magpies could use this opportunity to pull clear of their nearest rivals in the Premier League table and secure themselves a spot in the top four.
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With Edie Howe's side only separated from Man United by their superior goal difference, and the excellent form they've been on in recent weeks, the update couldn't be more perfectly timed for the Magpies.
Rashford's 28 goals in all competitions have been vital for the Red Devils as they prepare for their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla this week.
"We have many more players across the squad who can score," manager Ten Hag claimed last month when asked if he and the side were too dependent on Rashford's goals.
"I think we have players like Bruno, like Jadon Sancho, like Anthony Martial, like Scott McTominay, like Antony," Ten Hag said. "We have enough players with the capabilities to score goals, definitely."
Rashford is likely to return for the last few matches of the Premier League campaign however, meaning Newcastle must start to pull away from them now in order to have a safe gap back to fifth with a tough run-in of their own coming up.
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