Manchester United will return to Premier League action on the back of a draw to Lyon in the Europa League quarter final
Manchester United have a stern test against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm).
Ruben Amorim’s team will go in search of their first league win since mid-March, when they beat Leicester City 3-0. Since then, a loss to Nottingham Forest and a draw to Manchester City in the Manchester derby followed, meaning they were unable to climb higher than 13th place.
United were also held to a 2-2 draw against Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Europa League this week. But before the second leg at Old Trafford, they will look to get the job done at St James’ Park.
Amorim gave an update on his squad on Friday, addressing questions about player fitness. The United manager is expected to take a similar squad to Tyneside as the one that made the trip to France.
When asked on whether any of the absentees could return this weekend, Amorim said: “No, I think it’s the same. There’s a great responsibility. We don’t have a team that is really big to do that [rotate], and then we have some players that I know that cannot make 90 minutes in this moment still.
“We have be careful, so we will try to address all these subjects in the game against Newcastle. But we have a great responsibility when we play any game, so I will try to look at that. That is for sure. But we have to face Newcastle with a team that we can be competitive, and to win the game.”
Ayden Heaven is still working to full fitness, as are Amad and Jonny Evans. Matthijs de Ligt and Toby Collyer were the latest players to be added to the treatment room.
De Ligt sustained an ankle problem against Forest at the start of the month while Collyer picked up an injury to his leg, though it is not thought to be serious. Lisandro Martinez remains a long-term absentee and is out for the season.
The hosts, Newcastle, are also dealing with some injuries of their own. Anthony Gordon faces a late fitness test to see if he will be available after a hip injury.
“He’s had a decent week with the physios,” said Jason Tindall, standing in for Eddie Howe, who will not be in the dugout due to illness.
“He was back out on grass for a session yesterday so we’ll assess him today to see how he’s responded to that Then we will assess him today [Friday] and we will have to make a late call to see if he’s available for the bench on Sunday.”
Another player drawing attention is Alexander Isak, who was substituted as a precaution due to a groin issue initially picked up during the warm-up before the Brentford match. Tindall added: “He’s been training and feels good. It’s a situation we’ll monitor day by day, but we’re hopeful he’ll be available.
“We’ll assess him again today [Friday] and likely make a late decision on whether he can be on the bench for Sunday.”
Elsewhere, Joe Willock, Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, and Lewis Hall are all continuing their recovery as they work towards full fitness.
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