Erik ten Hag anticipates Lisandro Martínez’s return to fitness for Manchester United’s upcoming Premier League match against Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Despite grappling with foot, knee, and calf issues, Martinez has only managed 11 appearances this season. His last game was on March 30 in a 1-1 draw against Brentford.
However, he is expected to make a comeback and be included in the squad for the Newcastle fixture.
“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 are Bruno [Fernandes], [Marcus] Rashford, and Willy Kambwala.”
On Tuesday, Manchester United revealed that Raphaël Varane will depart from the club at the conclusion of the season.
While he won’t be available for the Newcastle match, there is optimism that he could participate in the final Premier League game against Brighton and potentially 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].”
With just two games remaining, Manchester United currently sit in eighth place in the table.
Failing to secure at least four points from their upcoming matches against Newcastle and Brighton would result in the club ending the season with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally, surpassing the 58 points achieved in the 2021–22 campaign.
To secure a spot in Europe through their league position, Ten Hag’s team must finish in the top seven. Alternatively, they would need to win the FA Cup to qualify for 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.”