Manchester United are getting ready for their return to club football after the latest two-week break to accommodate international football.
Following results going in their favour, Erik ten Hag’s men have the chance to further nail a place down in the top four, with Newcastle United also eyeing a route into Europe’s fine dining table.
The Reds make the trip to Newcastle roughly one month after the two sides played out a thrilling Carabao Cup final at Wembley, with that victory putting an end to United’s six-year wait for a trophy.
There were a number of impressive performers that day but Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was introduced at half-time after Diogo Dalot struggled on the right-hand side, stood out.
Wan-Bissaka has enjoyed a stunning resurgence in the second half of the season and it can be argued that he is now Ten Hag’s first-choice option on that flank.
The 25-year-old is, however, not in the squad to face Newcastle and speaking ahead of the game, Ten Hag has explained Wan-Bissaka’s absence.
“Yesterday, in the night he didn’t feel very good,” the manager is quoted as saying on the official Manchester United website.
“Overnight it got worse so therefore we made the decision that he stays out. So it’s illness.”
In that final, Wan-Bissaka made cancelling Allan Saint-Maximin out look easy and although Dalot offers qualities elsewhere, Wan-Bissaka’s absence will be felt.
Further up the pitch, two in-form players make up the midfield as Marcel Sabitzer and Scott McTominay form a partnership at the heart of the side.
Sabitzer and McTominay both enjoyed stellar international breaks, with Sabitzer scoring twice for Austria and McTominay finding the net a whopping four times in two games.
Bruno Fernandes captains the side behind Wout Weghorst, with Marcus Rashford and Antony on either flank. Rashford has been passed fit after being ruled out of England’s games.
