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Rob Dawson, Correspondent
MANCHESTER, England — Erik ten Hag is expecting Lisandro Martínez to be fit for Manchester United‘s Premier League game against Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Martinez has been restricted to just 11 appearances this season because of foot, knee and calf problems. The centre-back has not played since the 1-1 draw with Brentford on March 30, but should be part of the squad to play Newcastle.
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“I think he will return to the squad,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Tuesday. “He’s had some sessions with us and we plan for him to be available. If this afternoon everything goes right in training, he will return to the squad. Some other players we have to see; Bruno [Fernandes], [Marcus] Rashford and Willy Kambwala.”
United announced on Tuesday that Raphaël Varane will leave the club at the end of the season. He will not be fit enough to play Newcastle but there is hope he could feature against Brighton on the final day of the Premier League season and in the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on May 25.
“We are planning, definitely, for the last games,” Ten Hag. said. “Not tomorrow, but we hope for Sunday and then, of course, for the last game [against City].”
United are eighth in the table with two games to go.
Anything less than four points from games against Newcastle and Brighton will ensure they finish the season with their worst ever Premier League points total, eclipsing the 58 points they managed during the 2021-22 campaign.
Ten Hag’s team need to finish in the top seven to qualify for Europe through their league position otherwise they will have to win the FA Cup to earn a place in the Europa League.
“It’s a very important game [against Newcastle],” Ten Hag said. “You see the ranking, so it’s very important to get the win. We have to do everything in it to get the win and we have to fight hard for it.”