Team news for Newcastle trip

Ruben Amorim expects to take a similar squad to Newcastle United as the one he had for the Europa League draw in Lyon.

The Manchester United head coach was asked about the prospect of rotating his players, with the all-important second leg against the French side to come at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

However, Amorim was clear that there is still a responsibility to get results in the Premier League, with the Reds sitting in 13th spot in the table, and four points behind the team above us in Brentford.

When quizzed on whether any of the absentees could return on Tyneside, the boss said: “No, I think it’s the same.

“There’s a great responsibility. We don’t have a team that is really big to do that [rotate], and then we have some players that I know that cannot make 90 minutes in this moment still.

“We have be careful, so we will try to address all these subjects in the game against Newcastle. But we have a great responsibility when we play any game, so I will try to look at that. That is for sure. But we have to face Newcastle with a team that we can be competitive, and to win the game.”

Young striker Chido Obi is available again after being ineligible in Europe, while Kobbie Mainoo made his first appearance since February, when coming off the bench to good effect in France.

Mason Mount was also introduced in the second half and could be pressing for a first start since the Manchester derby in December. Luke Shaw must be close to seeing some action after twice being an unused substitute.

Ayden Heaven is bidding to regain full fitness, as are Amad and Jonny Evans, but Matthijs de Ligt and Toby Collyer have been added to the list of absentees recently. Lisandro Martinez is out for the season.

NEWCASTLE’S TEAM NEWS

Magpies manager Eddie Howe has been ill and his press conference duties were conducted by his assistant Jason Tindall. However, he is expected to be well enough to be in the dugout on Sunday.

Tindall revealed a boost for the hosts regarding Anthony Gordon, with the winger, who scored home and away against the Reds last season, back in training and pushing for a place in the matchday squad. The England international suffered a hip problem during the recent international break.

“He’s had a decent week with the physios,” said Tindall. “He was back out on grass for a session yesterday, so we’ll assess him today to see how he’s responded to that, then we’ll have to make a late call on whether he’s available for Sunday.”

Joe Willock does look set to miss out, though, along with Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Jamaal Lascelles.

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