Erik's team news update for Sunday
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag hopes Anthony Martial will be fit to face Newcastle United on Sunday but admits it is too soon to say on the striker's fitness.
The Frenchman felt uncomfortable during the first half of the win over Everton, and was replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo who scored the winner in a 2-1 triumph.
It was another injury setback for Martial, who has looked in fine form whenever on the pitch this term, and work is continuing at Carrington in order to ensure his availability for a tough test against the in-form Magpies.
“I can’t say in this moment," admitted Ten Hag to club media, when asked about the forward. "It’s too early to say something about that. We have to wait, we have to see how it progresses in the coming hours.
Ten Hag's pre-Newcastle press conference
Press conference | Ahead of Sunday's Newcastle game, Erik discussed attacking freedom, midfield combinations and more...
"Of course, we hope he will be available but if not, we do it with other players because it’s always about the players who are available and we have a good squad, as you see, and also subs can make a difference.
"If he is not available, then we have to do it with other players. We will have 20 in the squad and they have to win this game.”
During his press conference to preview the game, Ten Hag also suggested Harry Maguire will return to training soon.
“Anthony Martial can be [fit] but we have to wait [to see] how it develops in the coming hours," he reiterated. "Harry Maguire will not make this, but it doesn’t take long, I think.
“[Will Harry be another couple of weeks?] No, no, no. I think that next week he will be back in the team training or over the next week.”
Two players are definitely out of the 14:00 BST kick-off at Old Trafford. Martin Dubravka is ineligible, following his loan move from the Tynesiders, so Tom Heaton looks set to be on the bench if, as expected, David De Gea makes his landmark 500th appearance for the Reds.
Scott McTominay, the late goal hero on Thursday against Omonia Nicosia, is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards in the Premier League this term.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams and Donny van de Beek have all been injured.
Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw look set to compete for the left-back slot, while Raphael Varane was a substitute on Thursday but appears to be fit again. Fred was handed a start against Omonia in the midfield, alongside Brazil team-mate Casemiro.
NEWCASTLE'S TEAM NEWS
Magpies manager Eddie Howe has confirmed Alexander Isak is ruled out, despite making progress in his bid to return to fitness.
Keeper Karl Darlow is unavailable, while Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie are also absent for the in-form Tynesiders, although Shelvey is said to be "very, very close" to rejoining full training.
As for Emil Krafth, Howe admitted: "It's slow progress for Emil. It's a serious injury. He's back in Sweden at the moment with his family, in the early stages of his rehab. He will do his work and he will be very dedicated to that but we're very disappointed for him because he was an important part of our squad. We're missing him."