Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to be fit for Man United’s Newcastle trip

LONDON – Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to be fit for Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Newcastle on Sunday after the forward missed England’s recent internationals due to injury.

The 25-year-old withdrew from the England squad for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine after suffering an unspecified knock during United’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Fulham on March 19.

He was subsequently pictured on a break in New York while England were in action, a vacation that raised questions about his commitment to Gareth Southgate’s team.

Rashford returned to individual training at United last week and ten Hag is expecting to include him against Newcastle, whom United beat in the League Cup final in February.

“I’ve good hope. He trained but he had to do some treatment, he had to do some individual training,” the United boss said on Friday.

“Today, he joined in with the group. We have one more day, so I have a good hope he is available.”

Rashford has scored 19 goals in 25 appearances for United since returning from the World Cup in December, and he is vital in the team’s chase for a top-four spot. They are third on 50 points, but just three points ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle.

He posted a photo with the caption “downtime” during his time in New York and ten Hag insisted the holiday was beneficial to his recovery.

“I think it’s positive that he was in a break. I think Rashford, (along) with Bruno (Fernandes), he was playing the most games of the whole squad,” he said.

“I think Manchester United is playing the most games all across Europe and our international players are not mostly on the bench, mostly they are playing, so they also need times that they can have a breather.

“For me, it’s positive that he took that time to turn off from football. I have seen him this week and he showed a lot of energy and a lot of motivation.”

Rashford’s current contract expires at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, but ten Hag would not be drawn on whether an improved deal was on the horizon.

“We never do (offer updates on negotiations),” he said. “It’s an internal process. Of course we’re also planning for the future, so in the back we’re working on that.

“We are focusing, Rashy and I, on performing (on the pitch).”

The United manager also said that Anthony Martial could be in the squad to face Newcastle after two months out with a hip issue.

Casemiro is suspended, while Marcel Sabitzer is a doubt. Alejandro Garnacho and Donny van de Beek are out for the long term, but Christian Eriksen is close to a return.

For Newcastle, Eddie Howe insists his team can “buck the trend” as they try to keep pace with United on and off the pitch.

Despite their League Cup defeat, the Magpies boss is confident his club are capable of matching the Red Devils in the long term after their rapid rise since he took charge in November 2021.

With the help of sizeable investment from their Saudi-backed owners, Newcastle are just two points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand.

While Newcastle have already closed the gap on United on the pitch, they have some way to go off it.

United’s forecast turnover for 2022-23 is approaching £600 million (S$985 million), around three times the figure for Newcastle.

“I think you can buck the trend, of course you can, it’s possible,” Howe said.

“I go back to my early coaching experiences and we were always trying to buck the trend. We were going against teams with far superior budgets to us for years and years.

“When you say how – team spirit, togetherness, implementing a plan, hopefully everyone’s on the same page and working harder than everyone else. That’s the simple blueprint that I’ve always tried to use.”

Howe confirmed that he will have Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Joelinton available following illness and injury issues. AFP