RED RE-SHUFFLE
How Man Utd could line-up at Newcastle following Covid outbreak ripping through Rangnick’s side and Martial wanting out
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MANCHESTER UNITED have all-but-one of their players available for their trip to Newcastle after their recent Covid outbreak - with just Paul Pogba missing through injury.
But Ralf Rangnick will have to decide what to do with Anthony Martial who wants to leave.
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The Reds kick-off at 8pm at St James' Park looking to leapfrog West Ham and Tottenham into fifth.
And Rangnick has 25 players to pick from.
United had their last two matches postponed because of a Covid outbreak in their squad.
They also closed their training ground last Thursday.
But having taken action, Pogba is now the only absentee - missing with a thigh strain.
The Frenchman is set to be out for another fortnight but Rangnick is pleased with the number of players at his disposal.
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He said on Thursday: "As you know, last week the last training session was on Thursday.
"We had eight fewer players and three goalkeepers and then we closed the training ground for four days in order to break the chain.
"And today was the third day of training this week, we started on Tuesday, we trained yesterday and today, and today we have 25 outfield players.
"So apart from Paul Pogba, he's the only one still missing, everyone else is on board.
"The development of the last week is extremely positive.
"We will train tomorrow and there will be a day off for the players on Christmas Day and then we have the last training session here on Sunday and will fly evening to Newcastle.
"As far as I could see today in training, they're all in good shape, all the players did their homework, they had their schedule to train at home and all of them stick to that schedule and to that programme.
"So from what I saw from training today, I can say most of them if not all of them might be available.
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'DIFFICULT DECISIONS'
"But I have to take some difficult decisions who will be in the squad and in the starting XI."
Last week, Rangnick told Martial 'Forget about leaving in January because NOBODY wants you.
He confirmed the French international told him he wants out of Old Trafford.
But Rangnick says they will only sell the 26-year-old next month if it suits the club.
United are still fighting in three competitions and seem certain to have a busy end to the season.
And despite reports of interest from Seville, Rangnick says nobody has made a move for Martial.
Rangnick said: “Yes we spoke on Wednesday. We spoke at length.
"He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.
“In a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.
“We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions.
“I told him as long as there is no club showing interest in him, and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.
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“So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay.”
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Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley irritated Rangnick earlier this month by going public with his client’s desire to leave prior to discussing it with the United boss.
The striker, who cost £36million from Monaco in 2015 in a deal that could rise to £58m, has started only three matches in all competitions this season with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo limiting his opportunities.
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