Christian Eriksen looks set to make an early comeback from an ankle injury after Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag revealed the midfielder is back in team training.
The 31-year-old has established himself as a key player since moving to Old Trafford in the summer on a free transfer following a successful short-term stint at Wednesday’s opponents Brentford.
Eriksen made 31 appearances and was a near ever-present before being sidelined by a bad challenge by Andy Carroll in January’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Reading.
United expected to be without the Denmark international until late April or early May, leading them to make a deadline-day loan move for Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.
But Eriksen has made impressive progress and is shaping up to return to action ahead of schedule.
“Not [available] for Wednesday but he’s returning on the pitch,” United boss Ten Hag said.
“He’s returning into team training [on Tuesday], so we have to see how quick he can now make the progress.”
Eriksen’s absence has been keenly felt, as has that of fellow summer signing Casemiro, who serves the third match of a four-game ban when Brentford visit on Wednesday.
“Two quality players,” Ten Hag said. “You know, the midfield department, games will be decided always in the midfield.
Newcastle v Manchester United - player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 7: Missed League Cup final defeat against same opposition due to suspension and enjoyed easy day between sticks here. Man United managed one shot on target all afternoon - in 56th minute - and that was a weak Antony effort straight at Pope. PA -
Kieran Trippier 8: Combined well with Murphy as Newcastle found joy down right in first half, causing Shaw lots of problems. Captain’s performance defensively as he helped keep England teammate Rashford very quiet. PA -
Fabian Schar 8: Swiss defender helped limit Weghorst to just seven touches in first half. No shock when Dutch striker taken off in second half. Fired swerving strike wide from edge of box just before hour mark. Saw header cleared off line later in second half and then shot wide in injury-time. Reuters -
Sven Botman 8: Dutchman missed out on first international cap due to virus last week but there was no sign of illness here as Botman gave trademark cool and assured display. One of the Premier League signings of the season. AFP -
Dan Burn 8: Home fans’ favourite stood up well to challenge of pacey pair Antony and Rashford, who were switching flanks, although Brazilian did give him one or two moments of concern in first half. But generally excellent game from big defender. PA -
Sean Longstaff 8: Decent first touch was followed by mishit shot as early chance went begging. Flashed fine strike just wide of target later in half. Tireless in middie of park. AFP -
Bruno Guimaraes 9: Lovely nutmeg to make fool of Weghorst in opening 15 minutes. Brazilian’s distribution is crucial for Eddie Howe’s side and his full range of passing skills were on display here. His cross to back post ended up with Willock scoring opener. Pulled the strings and controlled midfield. Getty -
Joe Willock 7: Should have scored rebound after De Gea saved from Isak only to hit ball straight at keeper who was prone on ground. Missed even better chance five minutes before break firing a Saint-Maximin cut-back over bar. Nodded home vital goal, much to former Arsenal’s man relief. Reuters -
Jacob Murphy 7: Plenty of joy early on down right against Shaw and supplied brilliant cross for Isak that Swede nearly scored from. Blazed shot high and wide from edge of box in 25th minute. Impact waned after break. AP -
Allan Saint-Maximin 8: Usual threat running at defenders, continually cutting inside from left, teeing-up chances for Longstaff, Willock and Isak in the first half. Provided headed assist for Willock’s goal and went off to standing ovation. PA -
Alexander Isak 8: Good header across six-yard box to set-up Longstaff’s chance in opening 10 minutes. Took on headed chance himself not long after but denied by De Gea. Beautiful first touch and pass in build-up to Willock goal. EPA -
SUBS: Joelinton (On for Saint-Maximin 69’) 7: Saw header tipped on to bar by De Gea. Getty -
Anthony Gordon (On for Murphy 69’) 7: Sent tantalising ball across six-yard box that was crying out for finish. Reuters -
Callum Wilson (On for Isak 80’) N/A. Headed home crucial second to seal thoroughly deserved three points for Magpies. Reuters Elliot Anderson (On for Willock 84’) N/A. -
MAN UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea 7: Fine double save from Isak and Willock as the Geordies bossed the opening exchanges. Poor before Newcastle’s opener, but then another fine save from Joelinton. Pinned back on corners and the goals were inevitable. EPA -
Diogo Dalot 5: Suffered in previous matches against Newcastle, but started as Wan Bissaka was ill. Had work cut out against Saint Maximim, who was eventually taken off. Tried to beat the much taller Burn in the air. Poor for the second goal. PA -
Raphael Varane 5: Busy first half and helped De Gea out with another Newcastle attack. Blocked an Isak shot just after half-hour, but inactive when pressuring the Swede. Brought off by his manager. Surprisingly poor out of possession. PA -
Lisandro Martinez 5: Gave the ball away to set up early Newcastle attack and outjumped by Isak who headed on target on 16 minutes. Normally athletic, but only the home team were physically impressive. Brought off by his manager. EPA -
Luke Shaw 5: Under pressure down the left. Moved into midfield towards the end of the first half. Stupid tackle on Longstaff, which led to a free-kick and the second goal. Poor performance. AP -
Scott McTominay 5: In after the international highs with Scotland, he played in a more advanced role than usual. A battle with Guimaraes, which he didn’t win. And nor did his midfield. Strong run forward on 73. AP -
Marcel Sabitzer 5: Nowhere near the level of Casemiro, who was badly missed, and the home midfield was far superior. Played deep but got forward into the right position to have a shot on 72 minutes. AP -
Bruno Fernandes 4: Captain, but could barely raise his players on a lacklustre afternoon where Newcastle were better from start to finish. Outclassed. Willock had more shots that the entire Manchester United side. Getty -
Antony 5: Set up Weghorst on 12 minutes, went down soon after as if his life was in danger. It wasn’t, but he shot well wide on 17. Tangled with Burn a few times, set up one of the few first-half attacks for Dalot. Had his side’s first shot on target, a weak one, after 56 minutes. AP -
Marcus Rashford 4: Fuming that he didn’t get a foul after contact with Burn, but barely involved in the match. A ball to nobody near the end was mocked by the partisan crowd. Manchester United never looked like scoring. Getty -
Wout Weghorst 4: Not always his fault, but his team couldn’t get him into the match. Didn’t touch the ball in the first ten minutes as Newcastle started on the front foot, then shot into the side netting. Fewest touches of any starting player. A goalscorer who doesn’t score goals. Getty -
SUBS: Jadon Sancho (On for Antony 62’) 5: Almost nothing from one of the most expensive footballers in the world. Getty -
Anthony Martial (On for Weghorst 62’) 6: Far more of a threat than the Dutchman. His 81st minute shot was deflected wide and he stopped an effort on the line. Getty -
Fred (On for McTominay 84’) N/A. EPA -
Facundu Pellistri (On for Varane 84’) N/A. PA -
Victor Lindelof (On for Martinez 84’) N/A. Reuters
“So, when you miss two quality players, it’s clear but you have a squad and when you don’t have them you still have to win.”
United’s midfield was found wanting on Sunday at St James’ Park, where Newcastle capitalised on a meek team display to secure a deserved 2-0 victory.
Luke Shaw labelled the performance “unacceptable” and Ten Hag agreed with the left-back that the Magpies were “more determined, more passionate” and had “more desire”.
“We had a very bad performance because the opponent wanted it more than we,” the Dutchman said. “They were sharper.
“You can see that in the challenges – we won only 16 from 61 challenges in offence and in defence the opponent beats us 48 from 78 challenges. Then you can’t win a game.”
United have only won three of their last nine Premier League matches and have slipped to fifth, following the loss at Newcastle and Tottenham picking up a point at Everton on Monday.
They have not won a top-flight fixture since beating Eddie Howe’s Magpies to lift the League Cup in late February, but Ten Hag downplayed talk of his side dealing with a post-Wembley hangover.
“We played 60 minutes against Southampton with 10 men,” he said. “We beat Fulham [in the FA Cup] – that’s a Premier League opponent.
“We beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, it’s a Premier League opponent, so no concern. We know we can beat Premier League teams.”
United will look to get back to winning ways in the league against Brentford, who stunned them 4-0 in August’s reverse fixture in what was Ten Hag’s second match in charge.
Shaw was dropped for a period after that loss but has grown into a vital player under Ten Hag, with the left-back rewarded with a new four-year deal on Tuesday.
“I think it’s a good message that he’s here for his peak years,” the United boss said of the 27-year-old defender.
“An England international, he’s doing really well this season, really happy with him.
“I think he’s a modern left full-back but can also play other positions like left centre-back.
“He matches absolutely the standards we want to have, so a very good message.”
