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MANCHESTER United forward Marcus Rashford has returned to training after picking up a knock before the international break, but a late call will be taken on his return to action, manager Erik Ten Hag has said.
Rashford missed England’s European Championship qualifying wins over Italy and Ukraine after withdrawing from the squad earlier this month.
This was due to a knock he suffered during United’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Fulham. The 25-year-old is United’s top scorer this season, and has been in scintillating form with 30 goals for club and country.
“I have good hope, he trained but he had to do some treatment.
“He had to do some individual training, and has since joined in with the group,” Ten Hag told reporters ahead of today’s trip to Newcastle United.
“I have a good hope he will be available . . . I have seen him back, and he has shown a lot of energy, a lot of motivation. It was a good spirit and a lot of focus.”
Rashford’s rise this season has seen him being linked with a move to top European sides, but Ten Hag said he wants to keep the club’s talisman, with talks ongoing over a contract extension.
Rashford’s current deal ends next season.
“It’s an internal process. We focus on winning games, of course, also planning for the future and we are working on that,” Ten Hag added.
“It’s about agents, it’s about football director John Murtough. Rashford and I are focusing on performing.”
Ten Hag also said injured French forward Anthony Martial could make his return for the first time in two months.
United are third in the league standings with 50 points but fifth-placed Newcastle can overhaul Ten Hag’s side on goal difference if they win at St James’ Park.
Newcastle have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, having conceded only 19 goals in 26 games, but the Dutch boss was more concerned about their time-wasting tactics.
“We know they delay, it’s something that the refereeing doesn’t want. They want to have tempo in the game, that is the aim of the Premier League, so they have to be consistent to let the game go,” Ten Hag said. — Reuters
Online Reporter