08 March 2024 , 03:00
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Manchester United will be looking to get their Champions League bid back on track when they host Everton on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag's have lost the last two Premier League matches - including last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City - which has left them 11 points behind Aston Villa in fourth and five adrift of fifth-place Tottenham, who have a game in hand.
Due to a revamp of the format, fifth place might secure Champions League qualification but United will no doubt have their sights set on the top-four just in case.
As for opponents Everton, the Toffees had their 10-point deduction reduced to six last month, which has lifted them clear of the relegation zone. They currently sit 16th, five points ahead of 18th-place Luton but have failed to win any of their last 10 top-flight matches dating back to mid-December. Here is the latest news from United.
Everton injury blow
Sean Dyche has confirmed that Idrissa Gana Gueye is an injury doubt for Everton's trip to United on Saturday. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Dyche revealed midfielder Gueye, who missed last weekend's 2-1 defeat against West Ham due to a groin injury, is "unlikely - but has a chance" to feature at United.
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Arnaut Danjuma will not be available but is making progress from an ankle problem suffered against Fulham in January. Dele remains sidelined due to a long-term injury.
"Arnie continues to make progress but is not there yet. Gana will be unlikely - but has a chance, I'd say," said Dyche. "There are a few [other] knocks and bruises but everyone [else] should be alright."
Idrissa Gana Gueye is a doubt for Everton's trip to Manchester United (Getty Images)Amad praises Martinez
United winger Amad has labelled teammate Lisandro Martinez as the most difficult player to face in training. The 21-year-old, who spent last season out on loan at Sunderland, has struggled for game time since returning to Old Trafford in the summer.
The Ivorian did miss the majority of the first half of the campaign due to injury but made his return in the defeat at Nottingham Forest back in December.
Meanwhile, Martinez arrived at United from Ajax in 2022 and it hasn't taken long for the Argentine to have an impact. The defender has rarely been available this season, but he has left a lasting impression on Amad, who has heaped praise on his team-mate.
He explained: "Licha [is the most difficult player to face in training]. He's very strong in the training. For him, the training is like the Champions League final. He never trains easy, he goes stronger, so it's harder to train against him."
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Amad named Lisandro Martinez as the most difficult opponent to face in Man United training (Ash Donelon/Manchester United)Reguilon recalls emotional moment
Sergio Reguilon has admitted he was "crying like a kid" after United crashed out of the Carabao Cup. The Spaniard, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Old Trafford, started the 3-0 defeat to Newcastle back in November, which left him visibly distraught.
Reguilon told The Times: "We were defending the title and we were out. I don't care if I am here for six months, I was upset. I don't know how long I was crying like a kid. Bruno [Fernandes] comes to tell me to relax and I still have the same shit face."
He added: "It's my problem, I am too emotional. I feel everything in football, just like my life. I have to control that more but it's always been part of me, since I was a kid."
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