Man Utd Team News: Solskjaer Confirms Double Boost But Trio Miss Newcastle Trip

Manchester United will look to continue their fine recent form when they take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening.

Ahead of the game, caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided a full team news and injury update and he’s confirmed a huge boost with the news that Alexis Sanchez is set to return to the squad tomorrow.

Sanchez hasn’t featured for Man Utd since suffering a hamstring injury following the draw with Crystal Palace at the end of November and has been forced to miss the last nine games in all competitions.

However, the Chilean international returned to training over the festive period and Solskjaer has confirmed the 30-year-old will be involved at Newcastle after narrowly missing out against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.

In a double boost, the temporary United boss also revealed that Marcus Rashford is expected to be available for the trip to the north-east after being taken off during the win over Bournemouth due to fatigue.

However, Man Utd will have to make-do without Eric Bailly tomorrow night as the centre-back will serve a suspension following his late dismissal against Bournemouth at the weekend.

Chris Smalling is still out with a foot injury and Marcos Rojo isn’t match fit so Solskjaer has just two fit central defenders at his disposal. Phil Jones is set to be recalled alongside Victor Lindelof and the United boss has confirmed Matteo Darmian will be the back-up centre-back against Newcastle.

Solskjaer told ManUtd.com:

“Alexis has had some great training sessions over the last few days and wanted to be here [against Bournemouth] as well but we’ve had to manage him. He’s been out for a month. He will be involved [at Newcastle], yes.

”He wants to play all the time, he’s one of those characters. He made himself available but I think it was a few days too early for him. He’s not had enough fitness work but he is champing at the bit.

“I think Alexis is a player that would benefit from the interchanging, rotation and movements and, of course, more chances. If we create more chances and get the ball in the final third, he will be an asset for us. On the floor, in between or in behind, I think he’s looking forward to it. Certainly, it’s looked like it in the session the other day when he scored quite a few nice goals and that was encouraging.”

“I think Marcus would be okay. He’s been working so hard and has been a bit tired. But I think he will be alright [for Newcastle]. I hope so.”

“That’s enough isn’t it [two centre-backs]? It should be enough with two! We’ll have to look at it, of course, but we’ve got Darmian, who can definitely play centre-back. I don’t think Rojo will make it so it will probably be Darmian as back-up centre-back.”

Solskjaer will head to St James’ Park looking to make it four consecutive victories since replacing Jose Mourinho in the Man Utd hot-seat and they can keep pace with the top four if they take all three points back to Old Trafford.