Manchester United were among the worst-hit clubs a fortnight ago when a rise in Covid cases began to interrupt the Premier League schedule.
After postponed games against Brentford and Brighton, the trip to Newcastle is United’s first match since 11 December, when Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty was the difference against Norwich.
With Carrington closed, Rangnick had just seven players available at one stage due to positive tests and other injuries. However, his squad is virtually at full strength as they prepare for relegation threatened Newcastle.
Paul Pogba, who picked up a thigh injury in training while on international duty with France in November, is set to be the only absentee. Information has been scarce on the midfielder’s progress but if the initial prognosis was correct, he could miss at least three more games.
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Varane is expected to come in for Victor Lindelof while Cavani could start on the bench, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood vying for the wide spots behind Ronaldo.
“As you know, we had last week, the last training session on Thursday, on that day we had eight outfield players and three goalkeepers and then we closed down the training ground for four days in order to break the chain,” Rangnick said.
“Today was the third day of training this week, we started on Tuesday, we trained yesterday and today. Today we had 25 outfield players. Paul Pogba is the only one missing, everyone else was on board. The development in the last week was extremely positive.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has recovered after being stretchered off against Young Boys following a collision with the advertising boards and subsequently missing the win over Norwich.
Anthony Martial is also back in contention after a knee injury but he is unlikely to start amid ongoing speculation surrounding his future.
Man Utd’s predicted XI to face Newcastle: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3eoIKku
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