Huge boost to Man Utd’s fitness: the €45 million star plans to return before the FA Cup final – report

Lisandro Martinez, a star for Manchester United, is optimistic that he will be healthy for the FA Cup final on May 25 against Manchester City.

Martinez is keen to gain experience in front of the FA Cup final and hopes to play there, according to the Daily Mail.

The defender, who is valued at €45 million, is eager to return to action and will try to do so on Sunday against Arsenal.

He has endured an injury-plagued season, missing 37 of United’s 48 games due to multiple injuries.

His latest setback came from a knee injury against West Ham United in February.

Lisandro Martinez’s return would be a massive boost

Injuries have weighed on Man United this season. More than 60 separate cases of injuries have been recorded, the most in their history in one campaign.

The biggest issue for Erik ten Hag has been the setbacks in the defence department.

For almost the whole of the campaign, United have played without a specialist left-back.

Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho are the only outfield players who have not missed a game due to injury this season.

Jonny Evans is the only centre-back currently available. He was rushed back into action against Crystal Palace and his poor performance showed he wasn’t ready.

United would be delighted to see if Martinez can return to action this weekend.

Ten Hag must not push the Argentinian but slowly integrate him into the starting XI over the next three league games.

The key is to have him fully fit and available by May 25th when United clash with Man City for the FA Cup title.

It is an understatement to say that United have missed Martinez. His imminent return would be a source of jubilation for the Red Devils supporters.

Manchester City 5-1 Wolves (Premier League): Five Things Learned

Manchester City defeated Wolves 5-1 on Saturday night thanks to four goals from Erling Haaland, giving them complete control over the Premier League title chase.

With a game remaining, the Norwegian striker secured a hat-trick just before halftime to keep the Sky Blues one point ahead of Arsenal at the top of the league.The opening goal came in just the 12th minute when Erling Haaland converted a penalty.

Wolves fought back after the early deficit. However, in the 35th minute, Haaland got on the end of a looping ball from Rodri to head in the second goal of the game. Wolves’ response saw them open up and attack more, abandoning defensive structure and City took full advantage.

Haaland was brought down from behind by Nelson Semedo, and was awarded his second penalty of the first-half. The 23-year-old put the ball in the exact same spot as the first, beating a diving José Sá.

The second penalty gave Haaland a first-half hat-trick, meanwhile City’s press prevented Wolves from attempting a shot or corner for the entire first-half. Hwang Hee-Chan reduced the deficit to two with a fortuitous goal in 53rd minute.

Despite grabbing a goal back, Phil Foden played a lovely ball just seconds after the reset to Erling Haaland behind the Wolves defence. The Norwegian cut in on his left, and launched a curling effort into the top right corner to score to extend his goal tally to four for the day.

With a 4-1 lead secured, the game effectively died. John Stones was brought on for Nathan Ake, and eventually Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland were all replaced by Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez.

Despite only being on for a few minutes, it was the aforementioned Argentine forward Alvarez who scored the fifth and final goal of the game in the 85th minute with a lovely finish after Rodri played the Argentine through on goal.

Following another dominant display, Pep Guardiola’s side made it 20 matches unbeaten in the Premier League this season, and here are five things learned from Manchester City’s 5-1 win against Wolves.

Erling Haaland has found his 2022 form

Saturday’s performance was one of the few times this season where Erling Haaland looked like the machine we saw for the most part of the 2022/23 Treble winning campaign, and the Norwegian’s debut season for the club.

Just three games now sit between Manchester City and Premier League history, and a fully operational Erling Haaland could make these last few matches a breeze. Let’s just hope it stays!

Phil Foden was able to show off his playmaking

Phil Foden’s goal-scoring ability has always been one of his best attributes, and this is one of the key reasons why the 23-year-old has spent most of his time under Pep Guardiola as a winger or false-nine.

However, in his limited time in deeper roles, Foden has shown an elite level of distribution. The performances against Atalanta and Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League are two of the strongest examples.

Saturday’s performance against Wolves was another. Both the pass to Bernardo Silva to set-up the penalty on Josko Gvardiol, as well as the ball over the top to Erling Haaland for the fourth goal were truly world class. The sky is the limit for the 2023/24 FWA Footballer of the Year.

Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol is a must-see partnership

The two Croatian international signings from the summer transfer window have now come alive in the back half of their debut seasons, and are driving Manchester City towards yet more domestic silverware.

Both players ooze composure on the ball and brought some needed control during the first half. While it won’t be feasible to see them play alongside each other every week, it’s clearly a partnership that Pep Guardiola should go back to.

John Stones just might make it

After what was a career-defining year during the last season’s treble campaign, the last nine months have been incredibly cruel to John Stones, who developed himself to become a dependable option in defensive midfield.

His inability to stay fit has caused issues for City at various points, however fortunately both Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol have taken their respective games to higher levels. But there isn’t enough depth at the back to accommodate for a defender to be out all season.

After a 20-minute cameo on Saturday evening, maybe John Stones is ready for the final three matches, and while he may not be the difference maker, it’s irrefutable that Manchester City are at their best with him in the line-up.

Goal difference is now likely irrelevant

After putting five past Wolves on Saturday evening, Manchester City reduced their deficit in goal difference to Arsenal by a whopping one goal. The Gunners hold a six-goal lead in goal difference with two matches to play.

Goal difference would only come in to play if Manchester City were to draw one of their final three matches. If Pep Guardiola’s side were to be held against either Fulham, Tottenham, or West Ham, an Arsenal win would increase the goal difference to seven at the very least.

In more simple terms, Manchester City would need to win, and win big in their two other games, while praying that Arsenal do not put four or five goals past either Manchester United or Everton.

Before the pivotal match of the season, Manchester City should heed Chelsea’s assertion with a grain of salt.

Few people will have been happier than Lauren Hemp on Wednesday night when the last whistle went at Prenton Park.

The forward for Manchester City was in the stands watching as Liverpool, who were pursuing the top four, overcame a late deficit to defeat Chelsea in a thrilling match that saw the title swing decisively in Gareth Taylor’s team’s favor. The outcome was so significant that Emma Hayes openly gave up the Women’s Super League (WSL) championship for her club, announcing that the race for the title was “definitely” ended.

“I’ve had amazing memories at this football club and we won a lot of things,” she told Sky Sports. “I’d love to bring titles again to Chelsea but that’s not going to be this year I’m afraid. We will never give up but the title is far from us, it’s not in our hands.”

It’s a sentiment that is reflected in the latest predictions from Opta’s Supercomputer, which now gives City a 90.7 percent chance of winning the league. But, while the stars seem to be aligning for Taylor’s side to secure their first title since 2016 this term, the Blues cannot afford to take their foot off the gas ahead of what is arguably the club’s biggest game in more than half a decade.

City will host third-place Arsenal at the Joie Stadium on Sunday afternoon where a victory would – providing their rivals win all of their remaining games – leave them requiring just a single point from their final match of the season against Aston Villa in order to wrestle the WSL trophy from Chelsea’s grasp. Though the Gunners have little left to play for, they are still one of the most formidable sides in the top flight and have already beaten Taylor’s side once this season – winning the reverse fixture 2-1 at Meadow Park back in November.

City, meanwhile, have only triumphed in one of the last four WSL meetings between the two teams and, with top scorer Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw ruled out for the season with a broken foot, they will have to be at their best if they are to improve that mediocre record this weekend.

“It’s changed nothing,” manager Taylor said when asked on Friday about the significance of Chelsea’s defeat on Merseyside. “There’s been a lot of talk around it but the objective is the same, win the next game.

“We kept that as our focus, it’s about not worrying too much about elsewhere, Chelsea are still the champions. We’re fighting for that title but with regards to the other night nothing’s changed to what we face at the weekend.”

It is the sort of measured response you would expect from a manager who has seen Chelsea sweep all aside on the domestic stage since he took charge of City in 2020. But while Taylor was never likely to deviate from the ‘one game at a time’ script in his latest meeting with the media, it is impossible to refute the seismic psychological shift Wednesday night’s result will have invoked amongst his players.

No longer the underdogs, City will go into their remaining two games as favourites and will have to shoulder the extra weight of expectation that comes with that. It has to be said that the Blues have not looked phased by any of the curveballs that have been thrown their way in recent months, taking every bit of adversity in their stride.

Since club-record signing Jill Roord ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in January, City have won all of their nine league games, with 22-year-old Jess Park proving herself to be a more-than-capable deputy in the no. 10 role. They have they netted four or more goals in four of their last five games and their victory over Bristol City last weekend was a record-extending 14th WSL win.

Considering the average age of City’s squad (24.9) is significantly younger than both Chelsea’s (26.25) and Arsenal’s (27), it is quite remarkable that they have flourished, not wilted, amidst the ever-mounting pressure. However, while Hayes might have raised the white flag in the title race – and though her players looked genuinely crestfallen after their latest defeat – only a fool would write Chelsea off entirely at this juncture.

Should City lose against Arsenal and Chelsea win all of their remaining games, the title will be decided on goal difference. Though the Blues currently have an eight-goal buffer in that department, the fact that Hayes’ side have played one game less than their title rivals and are to host already-relegated Bristol City this weekend means that gap is not insurmountable.

That Chelsea don’t play until after proceedings are concluded in east Manchester on Sunday could prove to be a huge benefit for the reigning champions, who will take to the pitch against the Robins knowing precisely how difficult their assignment is. Certainly, in spite of Hayes’ most recent post-match diatribe, Chelsea will be lying in wait for a slip-up from Taylor’s side.

City’s task now is ensuring they do not give their rivals the opportunity to pounce.

Pep Guardiola’s men are looking to move a step closer to another Premier League title – as well as complete another possible Treble.

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has issued a new warning to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal before this weekend’s games.

Liverpool’s prospects of winning the title were all but dashed when they lost to Everton in midweek, but the Gunners defeated Chelsea to keep up their own title challenge.

Manchester City then hammered Brighton last night to keep their own pace up in what was an ominous looking win for Guardiola’s side.

Naturally, since the midweek results are complete, everyone has been talking about how Liverpool is no longer in the running and that it is now just between Arsenal and City.

However, speaking in his presser (BBC) today, City manager Guardiola had a word of warning to Arsenal and indeed, his won team.

Pep Guardiola fires warning to Arsenal after seeing what’s happened to Liverpool

Commenting on the title race, Guardiola insisted that Arsenal shouldn’t take their eye off the ball as defeats can come at any time.

And with a NLD against Tottenham this weekend, Guardiola fired a warning to the Gunners.

“What happened to Liverpool, two defeats in a row, it can happen to Arsenal, it can happen to us. What is important is that still we are there. There is a lot of games to play,” Guardiola said.

Arsenal won’t lose two games in a row

This might be a bit of mind games from the City manager but there is simply no way that Arsenal are losing two games between now and the end of the season, never mind two.

They are in the zone and firmly ‘locked in’ as they say.

Indeed, it would be a surprise to see Arsenal drop any points at all int he run-in, such has been their level of performance in recent weeks.

Of course, Mikel Arteta will be keeping his players fired up and ready to go for every game and situation.

And in doing so, he’ll be hoping it is indeed City who slip up.

The title race looks like it’s going to go right down to the wire this season after last year’s ended up comfortable for City.

Put simply, whoever does come out on top, will have more than earned it this year.

Following their victory over Luton, Pep Guardiola praises his Manchester City team’s hunger. After a 5-1 crushing at The Etihad, City reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League. Chris Southampton and Ian Ladyman weigh in on who should win Player of the Year in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola praised his team for being “alive” for a second Treble and urged them to seize the “incredible” chance to battle on all fronts once more.

For the first time since November, City defeated Luton 5-1 to finish the day atop the Premier League standings. With an FA Cup semifinal match against Chelsea coming up on Wednesday, all eyes will be on Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Asked about how his team step up when the season reaches its final stages, he said: ‘It is incredible to be here again. What a privilege.

‘After we are done the previous season we are still fighting in the Premier League with 21 points left. On Wednesday we are playing against Real Madrid with a chance to qualify for the semi-finals and all the energy our fans will bring.

‘And FA Cup next Saturday against Chelsea, again a semi-final. What a privilege. Imagine no chance for the Premier League, no chance for any competition.

Pep Guardiola praised his team for still being alive as they hunt a second treble in a row

The star of the show against Luton was Jeremy Doku as City returned to the top of the table

The champions were at their best as the thrashed the Hatters 5-1 to send out title warning

‘So try to extend for one more week, one more week. In the Premier League we have one more week. We have a chance.

‘I don’t know what will happen tomorrow but no win today, they win. We have to win our games and make [Arsenal and Liverpool] feel pressure. This is the only message we can do with six left. We’ve done our job.’

It was a scintillating display from City, with Jeremy Doku the star of the show as Guardiola made six changes from the side that drew 3-3 away to Real Madrid in midweek.

For Luton Town and their boss Rob Edwards, he was simply glad to reach the final whistle.

‘Today was the hardest game we’ve had all season,’ he said.

‘It felt like they were in our final third all season. We couldn’t get out and they were excellent.

‘Today was always going to be very difficult. I’d almost made peace with it at the beginning.

Rob Edwards was proud of his Luton side on what he called their hardest games of the season

‘I’m proud of the lads. I wiped it as soon as I went into the changing room. Let’s be realistic, they are a brilliant football team who are way ahead of us at the moment.

‘It was a tough start but then we gathered ourselves and stayed in it. We kept going and I’ve got to give the players credit for that.

‘They suffocated us and controlled the game, it was a long day for us.’

City now have one eye on tomorrow’s games as Arsenal host Aston Villa and Liverpool welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield, both with the chance of leapfrogging City.

ARSENAL

Gameweek 33 opponents: Aston Villa (H)

Out: Jurrien Timber (knee)

Doubtful: None

Mikel Arteta quotes: “We have got one more day to prepare the match and we will see if everyone is available. We have some [doubts] but with another day hopefully everybody is going to be OK.

“[Timber] has still got a few steps to make. He needs to play a game at least with the U23s. He is going to have an in-house game soon as well. He has done everything in training, now it’s getting that match fitness and having people around and starting to compete in matches, which is different to training.

“For everything we see in training and the time that he was fit, I think he is going to have a big, big impact in the team.”

ASTON VILLA

Gameweek 33 opponents: Arsenal (A)

Out: Emiliano Buendia (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee), Jacob Ramsey (toe), Douglas Luiz (suspended)

Doubtful: Clement Lenglet (knock), Matty Cash (hamstring)

Unai Emery quotes: “We will train tomorrow, today we recover with some players, we did compensation work. [Clement] Lenglet and [Matty] Cash are training today with the group.

“We’ll work tomorrow again and see how they will feel to get a decision about the team and the players to be available for Sunday.”

BOURNEMOUTH

Gameweek 33 opponents: Man Utd

Out: Ryan Fredericks (calf), Luis Sinisterra (thigh), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring), Tyler Adams (back)

Doubtful: Chris Mepham (illness), Antine Semenyo (illness)

Andoni Iraola quotes: “The problem with Ant [Semenyo] in the past week is that he has a cold and not 100%. He played 45 minutes against Palace and was probably not at his 100%. He wanted to push and he is in good form, so we wanted him to push.

“Probably there was more risk involved, when you are not feeling well and you go to a football pitch and probably the injury risk is higher. But for me, for the technical staff, for the doctors, for him, it’s difficult to make this decision.

“Also this week we had some players that are 50/50. It is difficult to decide, because sometimes it works, sometimes they can get injured.

“I hope [Marcus Tavernier] can play the last games, but it is going to be difficult. If everything goes well, he could be available for us for the last two games, or something like this. It is tough when someone like Tav gets a muscle injury and is out for four or five games. But it is something that is happening to all of the teams and we have to accept it.

“Tyler [Adams] is improving. He is out definitely tomorrow, but it is a muscle thing. I think he can continue this improvement and he can be available next week.

“[Chris Mepham] has a health issue. Even with Ryan Fredericks, it is the same situation. I hope we don’t have more. With a cold, normally you don’t lose games, you try to push, it is sometimes decisions we have to make about if they are ready for 90 minutes or go on in the second half.”

BRENTFORD

Gameweek 33 opponents: Sheff Utd (H)

Out: Joshua Dasilva (knee), Rico Henry (knee), Ben Mee (ankle), Aaron Hickey (hamstring)

Doubtful: Christian Norgaard (back), Ethan Pinnock (ankle), Kevin Schade (adductor)

Thomas Frank quotes: “Everyone from last week, when we faced Aston Villa, is available. Ivan [Toney] is fine.

“The good news is that [Kevin] Schade is available and will make the squad – that’s very good news. And Ethan Pinnock is available as well.

[Could Ivan Toney start?] “Definitely, yes.”

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Gameweek 33 opponents: Burnley (A)

Out: Solly March (knee), Kaoru Mitoma (back), Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Billy Gilmour (knee), Adam Webster (knock), Evan Ferguson (ankle), James Milner (thigh), Tariq Lamptey (muscle), Julio Enciso (knock)

Doubtful: None

Roberto De Zerbi quotes: “The situation is tough. We still have nine injured players. It’s more or less the same squad we played against Arsenal [with], but with no Tariq Lamptey.

“Julio Enciso can’t play tomorrow. I don’t know if it’s a tough injury, but he’s not available.

“Billy [Gilmour] is better. I don’t know how much time before he can start with us on the pitch but he’s better. James Milner is the same. I think [Adam] Webster, Milner and Billy can be available in the next few weeks.”

BURNLEY

Gameweek 33 opponents: Brighton (H)

Out: Aaron Ramsey (knee), Nathan Redmond (thigh), Luca Koleosho (thigh), Dara O’Shea (suspended), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Ameen Al-Dakhil (unspecified), Han-Noah Massengo (ankle)

Doubtful: James Trafford (illness)

Vincent Kompany quotes: “[James Trafford] has been ill. He’s come back now and he looks in good spirits.”

CHELSEA

Gameweek 33 opponents: Everton (H)

Out: Wesley Fofana (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Reece James (hamstring), Christopher Nkunku (hamstring), Levi Colwill (foot), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring)

Doubtful: Ben Chilwell (illness), Cole Palmer (knock), Malo Gusto (fatigue), Axel Disasi (unspecified), Enzo Fernandez (unspecified), Raheem Sterling (illness), Robert Sanchez (illness)

Mauricio Pochettino quotes: Robert Sanchez and Raheem Sterling are both suffering from illness, while Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi are undergoing medical assessment. Ben Chilwell is back in partial training, but Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku and Lesley Ugochukwu remain on the sidelines.

“We’ll see. [Fernandez and Disasi] are under assessment. They have different types of issues. We don’t believe they are big issues but we will see if they can be available. They have not trained after Sheffield and that is why we don’t know.

“Chilly is training, partial training and see if he can be involved in the squad on Monday. It’s good news. But he hasn’t played too much this season.”

CRYSTAL PALACE

Gameweek 33 opponents: Liverpool (A)

Out: Sam Johnstone (elbow), Cheick Doucoure (Achilles), Rob Holding (ankle), Marc Guehi (knee), Chris Richards (knee), Matheus Franca (groin)

Doubtful: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh)

Oliver Glasner quotes: “[Michael Olise] is closer [to starting] than the week before. He had the whole week training with us. It’s been a really good week and Michael was part of it, so he’s close to starting.

“Michael can’t win the game alone, but he has a big role, and all the others have a big role. We’ll need a great goalkeeper because Liverpool are a very attacking team, so everybody has a key role and we will show it again that we are competitive as a team.

“I can’t say when [Marc Guehi will return], but he’s working hard, we’re working hard, and of course we give our best. It’s a week where we have three games, so maybe it’s the week after, but we hope, at latest, against Manchester United [on 6 May].

“We have no new injuries, but Jairo [Riedewald] is coming back. He trained the whole week with us and he could be in the squad on Sunday. You always have to be careful because if a player is out for five, six or seven weeks, and it’s not like he can have one week’s training and play 90 minutes. He will have to find his rhythm, like all the other injured players.

“It’s good that at the end of the season we’re getting options back. We also hope that next week, or in the next two weeks, one, two, three players are coming back.”

EVERTON

Gameweek 33 opponents: Chelsea (A)

Out: Dele Alli (groin), Lewis Dobbin (ankle)

Doubtful: Amadou Onana (knock), Arnaut Danjuma (ankle), Idrissa Gueye (personal reasons), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring), James Garner (knock)

Sean Dyche quotes: “[Amadou Onana]’s back training, he’s been training [yesterday].

“[On Idrissa Gana Gueye] His child and family are well. So he has been training this week and should be available again.

“Jimmy Garner got a knock [on Thursday], but we are happy that’s just a knock. Dom didn’t train [yesterday] but we are pretty positive with settling him down in the next couple of days. [He has] a minor niggly hamstring which we are just being ultra careful with. He thinks he is on top of it, and the medical team are as well.

“So we are just having to watch the players and make sure they are right. Mostly, we have just got knocks at the minute, nothing that we think will affect Monday against Chelsea.

“Hopefully, providing [Danjuma] came through [yesterday], he has a bounce game today [for the Under-21s’. We are going to use that to get him some minutes, he should at least be in the thoughts for Monday’s squad.

“It’s been hard for [Gomes] with all the ups and downs of injury. I told him in the summer he could be an important player for us. He’s been so unlucky, he delivered a very good physical performance [vs Burnley] considering he hadn’t played so long. We know he has quality and he’s put himself right back in the frame for what we need going forward.”

FULHAM

Gameweek 33 opponents: West Ham

Out: None

Doubtful: Armando Broja (knock)

Marco Silva quotes: “It’s more competitive when you have all these senior players fighting for each position. It’s a big headache but it’s the best headache you can have as a coach.

“[Armando Broja] did some exams [after picking up a knock in training on Thursday] and everything is going to be OK.”

Gameweek 33 opponents: Crystal Palace (H)

Out: Joel Matip (knee), Thiago Alcantara (thigh)

Doubtful: Alisson Becker (hamstring)

Jurgen Klopp quotes: “There was no chance to play Trent [against Atalanta on Thursday]. He was on the bench because we were allowed to put 23 players into the squad. He had two sessions. Diogo didn’t have more really but the information from the medical department is [he was a] step ahead, so he can play a little bit longer.

“I think Diogo was absolutely fine [last night for] 20 minutes, it helped him a lot and now we will see what we can do from there.”

LUTON TOWN

Gameweek 33 opponents: Man City (A)

Out: Tom Lockyer (heart issue), Amari’i Bell (hamstring), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Elijah Adebayo (thigh), Dan Potts (hamstring), Mads Anderson (calf), Chiedozie Ogbene (hamstring), Jacob Brown (knee), Gabriel Osho (knee), Issa Kabore (ineligible), Albert Sambi Lokonga (thigh)

Doubtful: Teden Mengi (unspecified), Reece Burke (unspecified)

Rob Edwards quotes: “We’ve got seven centre halves at this club and not one has trained this week. Maybe we get one [of Teden Mengi and Reece Burke], maybe we get both, but maybe we don’t get either. Teden twice pushed through to help us win the game last week against Bournemouth and was in a lot of pain.

“[Issa Kabore] will be a big miss. He’s had a great attitude and filled in a number of positions.”

MANCHESTER CITY

Gameweek 33 opponents: Luton (H)

Out: Nathan Ake (calf)

Doubtful: Phil Foden (dead leg), Kyle Walker (hamstring)

Pep Guardiola quotes: “We are training this afternoon and we will know better how they feel.

“[Phil Foden] I would like to tell you but I didn’t see the team, I didn’t speak with the doctors. We’ll train this afternoon. After the press conference, we’ll have a meeting and we’ll see how they feel.

“[Kyle Walker] the same. I don’t know right now. Honestly. [Ederson] was ready to play against Madrid. He is ready for tomorrow and we will make the decision.

“Take a look at our games and you realise. It is simple. [Rodri] is so important for the quality he gives us. But if you have a player that doesn’t want to play then he’s not going to play. If he’s exhausted, it can happen, and another is going to play.

“I’d love to rest central defenders but we don’t have them. [John Stones and Kyle Walker] got injured so they get cannot rest. We are in big, big trouble.

“I had the feeling we were tired in the last games. We will decide tomorrow what we have to do.”

MANCHESTER UNITED

Gameweek 33 opponents: Bournemouth

Out: Luke Shaw (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Anthony Martial (groin), Lisandro Martinez (calf), Victor Lindelof (thigh), Raphael Varane (muscle), Jonny Evans (muscle), Scott McTominay (knee)

Doubtful: Marcus Rashford (knock)

Erik ten Hag quotes: “Scott [McTominay], I don’t think so. We have training, so we have a day, he will push. He’s so keen to be a part of it, but there’s questions.

“[Marcus Rashford] trained yesterday, and we’ll see how he recovers from it today. There’s another training today and then we will make the decision.

“It’s very difficult [to keep changing the defence]. Everyone who has a little bit of knowledge about football, they know it will affect your results and performances. The back four is always the foundation to get results – we didn’t have that.

“We still have to win, we know that, so then others have to take responsibility, but when you oversee it then you know it has a negative impact.”

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Gameweek 33 opponents: Spurs (H)

Out: Sandro Tonali (suspended), Sven Botman (knee), Lewis Miley (back), Callum Wilson (chest), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Valentino Livramento (ankle), Miguel Almiron (knee), Kieran Trippier (calf), Joe Willock (Achilles)

Doubtful: Lewis Hall (thigh), Matt Targett (Achilles)

Eddie Howe quotes: “The closest player to coming back would be Tino Livramento, he has not trained with the team but has been out on the grass. Lewis Hall has not trained at all this week, so he is a slight concern from last week. Other players are doing well in the background so I am hoping in the not-too-distant future we can get three or four back.

“Joe has been to see another specialist to check on the progress of his Achilles, which has been problematic for him. The feedback was positive. For Tottenham, I don’t think he will be available for us. We need to make sure the long-term prognosis for him is positive so he may need some rest.”

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Gameweek 33 opponents: Wolves (H)

Out: Taiwo Awoniyi (unspecified), Nuno Tavares (thigh), Willy Boly (muscle)

Doubtful: None

Nuno Espirito Santo quotes: “We still have to wait and see for Saturday. I’m sorry I cannot go much further on that. [Willy Boly] is still on treatment, unfortunately. We do not know exactly when he is going to return.

“[Taiwo Awoniyi] is starting his individual programme. I don’t have an exact timeline for when he is going to return but it is closer. Hopefully he can still help us this season.”

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Gameweek 33 opponents: Brentford (A)

Out: Max Lowe (ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies (hamstring), Chris Basham (foot), John Egan (ankle), Rhian Brewster (hamstring), Daniel Jebbison (ill), George Baldock (calf), Tom Davies (thigh)

Doubtful: Jack Robinson (ankle)

Chris Wilder quotes: “We’ll give [Jack Robinson] every chance to be involved, but he rolled his ankle. So it’s getting that swelling down and getting him hopefully out there on the grass. It’s going to be a late decision but hopefully we’ll get him back.

“Everyone knows what we think about him. He’s a great character and a warrior so he’ll want to play and we want him to play. But we have to make sure we don’t risk him for the rest of the season. So we’ll see.

“I’m not going to put a gun to their head to get back. One of the things we’ve looked at is the risk and reward policy. We have to make sensible decisions, short term, regarding Jack. I don’t want to risk a longer-term issue and it’ll be the same for the players on that list [like Rhys Norrington-Davies and Rhian Brewster].

“The attitude of the players has been outstanding. The ones not playing and the ones who are, they all want to help the cause. They see a buzz about the group. We’ve had some disappointing days, the attitude has been spot on overall and those boys are working extremely hard, morning, noon and night, away from the lights, to get themselves back and add to the group.”

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Gameweek 33 opponents: Newcastle

Out: Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Fraser Forster (foot), Manor Solomon (knee), Richarlison (knee)

Doubtful: None

Ange Postecoglou quotes: “Not for this week [for Richarlison]. He’s close and, obviously with the weekend off next weekend, it’ll give him time to recover – and he’s on track to do that.

“Everyone else from last weekend has got through unscathed and are ready to go.”

WEST HAM UNITED

Gameweek 33 opponents: Fulham (H)

Out: Alphonse Areola (groin), Jarrod Bowen (back), Kalvin Phillips (hamstring)

Doubtful: None

David Moyes quotes: “We’re only just back today and the players have had a recovery session. I don’t think we’ll have Jarrod at the weekend and I’m not sure about Alphonse [Areola] and Kalvin Phillips.

“Dinos [Mavropanos] felt something [at Leverkusen on Thursday] but I’m not sure if it’s bad or not yet.”

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Gameweek 33 opponents: Nott’m Forest (

Out: Pedro Neto (hamstring), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (knee)

Doubtful: Hwang Hee-chan (thigh), Rayan Ait-Nouri (calf)

Gary O’Neil quotes: “Rayan [Ait-Nouri] will travel with the group. He’s had different week to the others with the slight issue he has, but it is a minor issue, nothing too significant in there. He’ll travel with the group, we’ll name the team in the morning and it gives him another day to see how he’s feeling. I envisage him being part of the matchday squad.

“[Hwang] Hee-chan’s in the matchday squad which is fantastic news for us. Cunha’s still fine and in the matchday squad. [Craig Dawson] is in the matchday squad again. For [Jean-Ricner] Bellegarde, it probably comes too early. We’ll check him in the morning, but I wouldn’t think [he] would play much of a part.

“It was the same with Pedro [Neto], when he was coming back from his significant hamstring injury. Matheus Cunha is in that process at the minute as well. [Hwang] will be similar. It’s not always minutes, the game has moved to a place where you get data on how far they’ve run and amount of sprints. We’ll have an area we feel is safe for the players and one where they start to go over that.”