Man United have been boosted by the return of Lisandro Martinez from injury to the first-team squad ahead of facing Newcastle United.
The Red Devils host the Magpies in their finals home game of a disappointing campaign on Wednesday night.
But Erik ten Hag’s side can still qualify for Europe if they win their final two matches and other results go their way. They currently sit eighth in the Premier League table, three points adrift of sixth-placed Newcastle.
Their hopes have been strengthened by the impending return of Martinez, who has been sidelined by a calf injury he sustained in March.
Man United have struggled with injuries to their backline this season. With Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire on the treatment table, they were forced to partner Casemiro and Jonny Evans in central defence for recent defeats to Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
“Licha Martinez, I think he will return to the squad,” Ten Hag confirmed in his pre-match press conference. “He’s had some sessions with us. Everything is going right in the training.”
Ten Hag also confirmed that Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Willy Kambwala will have their fitness assessed ahead of the Newcastle game.
Meanwhile, there was an update on the fitness of Varane, who will not play a part on Wednesday but could return for the final Premier League game of the season and the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
“We are planning, definitely, for the last games. Not tomorrow but we hope for Sunday and then, of course, for the last game.”
