Manchester United are set to miss seven players ahead of a tough clash against Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Red Devils just won their third consecutive game across all competitions, although it was not particularly convincing. With a winner in stoppage time from Scott McTominay, the Red Devils ensured that they didn’t return empty-handed against Omonia.
United will now host the Magpies at the theatre of dreams, and the manager will be without seven players for the crucial tie. The player closest to mark a return is Anthony Martial and the striker’s fitness will be evaluated.
Erik ten Hag expressed optimism that the 26-year-old will be available on Sunday and noted that Harry Maguire’s return to full training was not too far off.
Speaking in a pre-match conference with the club’s official website, the gaffer said:
“Anthony Martial can be [fit] but we have to wait [to see] how it develops in the coming hours. Harry Maguire will not make this, but it doesn’t take long, I think. [Will Harry be another couple of weeks?] No, no, no. I think that next week he will be back in the team training or over the next week.”
Centre-back, Harry Maguire is one of the players who has been ruled out of the Magpie’s match due to a muscular injury received while representing England in the Nations League match against Germany last month.
Other United stars like Donny van de Beek, Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams have also been ruled out due to injury.
Aside from the five, Scott McTominay is suspended for receiving five yellow cards, while Martin Dubravka, a loanee, is ineligible to play against his club Newcastle. Due to his lack of registration in the Premier League and Europa League squads during the first half of the season, Phil Jones is not listed on the list of absentees.
Martial has been excellent for United this season, scoring three goals and dishing out two assists in just four games. The Frenchman hasn’t finished his 90 minutes, though, because of three different issues. The French striker had a hip injury during the start of the season before struggling with an Achilles issue. Martial was given his first start last weekend against Everton as a reward, but he had a hip problem during the warm-ups.
Even so, he could play for 30 minutes while plucking out an assist. The gaffer might be wary of his striker’s fitness if he is available for selection on Sunday. Martial could get a substitute appearance against Newcastle.
