23 January 2024 , 17:55
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Erik ten Hag is expected to have Manchester United defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw available for their FA Cup fourth-round clash with Newport County this Sunday.
The pair of England internationals were pictured back in training on Tuesday, as United's players regrouped at Carrington following their mid-season break last week. Centre-back Maguire hasn't featured since injuring his groin during the Red Devils' 1-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on December 12.
Shaw, meanwhile, has missed United's last four games due to an unspecified issue. The injury-prone left-back had been set to start against Tottenham on January 15, but Ten Hag was forced to make a last-minute change to his starting line-up after Shaw failed a late fitness test.
Sunday's trip to League Two side Newport represents a chance for the two defenders to get back in action, with the Red Devils having beaten third-tier Wigan Athletic 2-0 in the last round. Ten Hag will also be able to call on Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez at Rodney Parade, two long-term absentees who returned United's squad for the Spurs game.
Young winger Amad was also spotted in training, having been absent against Wigan and Tottenham following a substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest on December 30. Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia (knee), Anthony Martial and Mason Mount (calf) all remain sidelined but remain at different stages of their respective rehabilitations.
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Maguire's return gives Ten Hag a selection dilemma at centre-back as opposed to selecting whoever's fit and available. Having fallen down the pecking order last term, the 30-year-old emphatically bounced back after being given an opportunity in the team earlier this season.
Upon picking up the Premier League's Player of the Month award for November, Maguire received praise from Ten Hag alongside team-mate Scott McTominay, who's also turned his Red Devils career around in recent months. "They are here, they are great players and have played themselves into the team," the United manager declared.
Harry Maguire has been absent since December 12 (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Luke Shaw almost returned earlier this month (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)Your turn! How should Man Utd line up against Newport? Let us know your starting XI in the comments section.
"That's what you expect from every player, there has to be dedication to aim for this. I think we have a squad and in the squad there is internal competition. If you want a successful season you need more than 11 players. The best team would turn in an average season."