Erik ten Hag is confident Marcus Rashford will be ready for Manchester United’s trip to Newcastle United on Sunday.
Rashford has been in sensational form this season, scoring scoring 30 goals from 49 appearances for club and country.
The 25-year-old was absent from England’s recent Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine but the United boss feels his star man will be available for the return of Premier League action this weekend.
‘I have good hope,’ ten Hag told a press conference on Friday.
‘He trained but he had to do some treatment, he had to do some individual training and, today, he joined in the group.
‘I think we have one more day so I have good hope he’s available. I think so.’
During the international break there was more speculation over Rashford’s future at the club with the forward taking to social media to rubbish suggestions he has demanded £500,000-per-week in talks over a new contract.
Rashford’s current deal expires in the summer of 2024 with United desperate to tie him down to a new deal. Quizzed on the forward’s future, ten Hag would not discuss ongoing talks, insisting the player’s focus is on this season.
‘We never [discuss it]. It’s an internal process. We focus on winning games, of course also planning for the future so in the back we’re working on that.
‘It’s about agents, it’s about football director John Murtaugh, Rashy and I are focusing on performing.’
Rashford enjoyed a short break with his partner in New York before returning to light training earlier this week.
Discussing the trip State-side, ten Hag said he was happy to see one of his most important players take a well-deserved break and ‘turn off’ from football before the decisive season-run in.
‘For me, it’s positive he took that time to turn off from football,’ the United boss said. I have seen him back this week and he has shown a lot of energy, a lot of motivation, it was a good spirit and a lot of focus.’
United begin their run-in with a testing trip to St James’ Park where they will face one of their main rivals for a top four place.
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