Man United’s Marcus Rashford returns to the squad against Newcastle

Marcus Rashford has returned to the Manchester United squad after four games in exile.

The forward was named on the bench for Newcastle United’s visit to Old Trafford on Monday by head coach Ruben Amorim.

The 27-year-old has not featured for United since the 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on 12 December.

He was dropped from the squad for the win over Manchester City on 15 December, with Amorim suggesting afterwards that the decision was based on the England international’s performance in training.

He also missed the defeats to Tottenham, Bournemouth and Wolves.

In the days after being left out of the squad to face City at the Etihad, Rashford said he wanted to leave the club. He said the time was right for a “new challenge” and while Amorim has insisted he wants Rashford to stay at Old Trafford, sources have told ESPN the club are open to offers in the January transfer window.

Rashford’s return has strengthened Amorim’s squad with both Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte suspended for the match against Newcastle.

Fernandes was sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Wolves on Boxing Day, while Ugarte picked up his fifth booking of the season at Molineux.

Asked why Rashford was back in the squad, Amorim told Sky Sports: “Selection and we’ve got a lot of players out so he’s in. As I say every week, I pick my players and he was there to be chosen. This time, he’s here.”