Anthony Gordon latest as Manchester United handed boost ahead of Newcastle United clash

Manchester United have been handed an injury boost ahead of visiting Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 4:30pm).

For the first time in recent memory, the Red Devils will arrive at St James’ Park sitting in the bottom half of the table. By contrast, Newcastle currently sit fifth. If they stay there or finish higher then a spot in next season’s Champions League is theirs.

The Magpies have won their four matches in all competitions against West Ham United, Brentford and Leicester City in the league, and Liverpool in the Carabo Cup final. That is despite being without one of their key players in Anthony Gordon.

Anthony Gordon injury latest, Joe Willock ruled out

Gordon was shown a straight red card for violent conduct in the FA Cup fifth round defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on March. He was eligible for the Leicester game but missed out because of the injury he sustained on international duty with England.

The 24-year-old badly bruised his thigh in the 2-0 over Albania. Over two weeks on and he has been unable train with teammates, instead being restricted to individual work. When Eddie Howe provided an update on Gordon on Monday, the United boss offered no guarantee over when the winger will return which casts doubt over his involvement this weekend.

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“Anthony wasn’t close (to being available to face Leicester),” said Howe. “He hasn’t been able to train with us yet. He’s still feeling the effects of that tackle with England. We hope that we may see him soon, but I’ve got no certainty on that.”

It remains to be seen if Gordon can play against Man United. Newcastle are already light on attacking options with Joe Willock ruled out due to concussion protocols after he took a bang to the head against Brentford last Wednesday.

Manchester United injury news

Ruben Amorim’s side are without central defenders Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans, while Matthijs de Ligt is a doubt after missing the goalless draw against Manchester City on Sunday. Former Sunderland winger Amad Diallo is unlikely to play again this season after picking up an ankle injury.

However, there is some positive news for the Red Devils with Kobbie Mainoo poised to make his return. The England midfielder has been out of action since February but is set to be in the squad for tonight’s Europa League quarter-final first leg clash away to French club Lyon.

Mainoo has been pictured in training this week and when speaking to the media on Wednesday, Amorim said: “In this moment, we have to be careful with Kobbie. He had some weeks out, so we have to be careful with his fitness.

“We are really happy to have more options and an option like Kobbie Mainoo, with the quality that he has, he can play in different positions - he has already played as a six, as an eight, as a 10.

“So we are really pleased to have Kobbie Mainoo but we have to be careful, and we need Kobbie Mainoo fit and fresh.”

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