Year: 2024

Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez have returned for Manchester United (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag says it’s a major boost to have Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro available again because the duo can ‘make the difference’.

The pair, who have missed the last three months of action, were both named on the bench for United’s Premier League clash against Tottenham.

The Argentine hasn’t featured for United since a 4-3 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in late September.

The defender was ruled out for three months at the end of last season when he broke his metatarsal and he returned in time for pre-season following an operation.

However, the defender was still feeling discomfort and it was decided that he would go under the knife again to clear up the problem once and for all.

Casemiro has missed three months of action after injury his hamstring in an EFL defeat to Newcastle United in October.

And, though the pair both resumed full training last week, Ten Hag says they will slowly reintegrated into the starting XI.

‘Of course [it’s a boost] when you have quality players back,’ said Ten Hag.‘That is good for the team, for the quality of the team because at the end of the day the quality of the players makes the difference.’

Eriksen missed the FA Cup win against Wigan on Monday with illness.

But the Dane has gone straight back into the starting XI and Ten Hag says his ability on the ball can make a difference. ‘Ah, he can give the pass. He’s a smart player,’ said Ten Hag.‘He can make the difference. He scans passes and he can give them.‘He has the ability and not many players have that.’

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Mason Greenwood remains a Manchester United player (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has suggested he would like to remain at Getafe by admitting he is ‘happy’ at the club.

The striker joined the Spaniards on loan in August for the remainder of the season.

Despite having charges of attempted rape and domestic assault dropped, United conducted their own investigation into Greenwood.

Though the club ultimately determined that videos online did not paint a ‘full picture’ of the incident, it was decided that Greenwood should recommence his future away from Old Trafford.

At Getafe, Greenwood has rediscovered his form and found happiness with his family in Madrid.

United face making another decision over Greenwood’s future in July, when the club could feasibly reintegrate the striker into the squad.

Greenwood’s deal runs until July. (Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

However, Greenwood says he’s ‘happy’ at Getafe.

‘Everything’s fine,’ Greenwood told Getafe’s official YouTube channel. 

‘I adapted pretty quickly. [My] team-mates took me under their wing and I’ve just been happy ever since, coming here and training, playing the games. I’m happy.

‘The fans mean a lot to me. The best feeling so far is when I scored my first goal here at the stadium and it meant a lot to me, I heard the fans quite a lot. 

‘We had the training day and a lot of fans came out to watch. We appreciate the fans. They’re like an extra man out there on the pitch when they’re there supporting us.’

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Rio Ferdinand is tipping Manchester City for the title. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Arsenal and Liverpool will be ‘looking over their shoulders’ and fearing Manchester City after the side’s comeback against Newcastle United.

That’s according to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, who says Kevin De Bruyne’s return to fitness is a huge boost to City’s title chances.

City took the lead in the north-east before goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon put Newcastle in front.

However, the game spun with 20 minutes left when De Bruyne was introduced from the bench.

The Belgian scored a sensational placed finish 15 minutes from time, and set-up the winner in injury time with a phenomenal pass for Oscar Bobb.

It was a crushing blow to the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, who have witnessed City win five of their last six matches without star man Erling Haaland.

And Ferdinand says the title hopefuls will now be fearing City as they’ve hit their rhythm.

De Bruyne made a sensational return (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

 ‘Pep Guardiola, very rarely do you see him as animated as he was today,’Ferdinand said on TNT Sports. ‘I’ll tell you one thing, that man there (De Bruyne), you’re back, you are back. You are the jewel in the crown, you’re back.

‘Watch momentum kick in now and these guys know what to do.‘These guys know when to put the pedal to the floor and it looks like now everybody is going to be looking over their shoulders and looking around and saying, they are coming.

‘They know how to get the job done, they have the experience, the depth, the class, the quality and the firepower. Formidable.’

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