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• Ten Hag confident Man Utd have enough goalscorers to back up Rashford

  Manchester United have enough goalscorers alongside star man Marcus Rashford, according to manager Erik ten Hag.

  Rashford has scored 27 of United's 88 goals this season in all competitions, with Bruno Fernandes their next-highest scorer with just 10.

  Anthony Martial's time on the pitch has been limited by injuries, while January acquisition Wout Weghorst has failed to prove prolific, having scored just twice since arriving at Old Trafford.

  Yet, the Red Devils ended their six-year trophy drought by beating Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final in February and look on course to finish in the Premier League's top four and achieve Champions League qualification for next season.

  Despite Rashford's superior contribution in the goals department in relation to his team-mates, Ten Hag feels his side carry enough of a threat to support the 25-year-old, though he did not rule out bringing in more attacking talent ahead of next season.

  "I think we have players like Bruno, like Jadon Sancho, like Anthony Martial, like Scott McTominay, like Antony," Ten Hag said. "We have enough players with the capabilities to score goals, definitely.

  "I work in the back [behind the scenes] on next season. But we're working now on this season, so first of all make sure everyone is available and keep improving the way of play and that's the best chance of scoring more goals."

  McTominay enjoyed a brilliant international break with Scotland, scoring four goals as his national team beat Cyprus 3-0 before stunning giants Spain 2-0 at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

  Considering his great form in front of goal and the fact he played as a striker for United's youth teams, McTominay could be a potential option to start up front for the Red Devils with Weghorst failing to fire since joining on loan from Burnley.

  But Ten Hag feels the 26-year-old is better playing as a midfielder, while he defended Weghorst's overall impact on United.

  "Scott can play in many roles," Ten Hag said.

  "It's clear he has scoring capabilities for Scotland but also this season for us. He's a really good finisher, but I see him as a midfielder.

  "I think I'm happy with what Wout is doing because when Wout is in the team, the team is performing better."

  As his team prepare to face top-four rivals Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday, Ten Hag looks set to be boosted by the return of Martial after his recent injury problems.

  "He's training for two weeks now," Ten Hag said. "I think he can be in the squad."

• Kante and James set to return for Chelsea against Aston Villa

  Chelsea have been handed a boost as head coach Graham Potter prepares to welcome Reece James and N'Golo Kante back from injury for their Premier League game against Aston Villa.

  Having played the last six minutes in England's 2-1 away win against Italy, James withdrew from the England squad with an injury but has been training with Chelsea since.

  Kante has not featured since August after suffering a hamstring injury that required surgery, but is in line to feature against Villa after playing in a series of behind-closed-doors friendlies during the break.

  "Reece has had the last two training sessions with us so providing there is no reaction he should be available," Potter said at a press conference on Friday. 

  "N'Golo has had some time on the pitch, some game time, so that's good for him.

  "We have to manage that because he's been out for so long but I'm pretty sure he will be out on the pitch at some point."

  Potter also confirmed that Saturday's fixture will come too soon for defensive trio Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Wesley Fofana, while Raheem Sterling is also set to miss the game. 

  "Silva and Azpilicueta are still away. Raheem and Fofana are coming back but will miss the game, they have more of a chance for Tuesday [v Liverpool]," Potter said.

  Mason Mount was another forced to pull out of the England squad with a pubic bone injury and has endured a tough season with just three Premier League goals so far.

  The 24-year-old's contract expires at the end of next season but despite rumours over his future at the London club, Potter was full of praise for Mount's attitude.

  "Mount has trained and is available, probably not for the start," he said.

  "It's been tough for him because he's had niggly injuries and noise off the pitch. He's a top professional, how he's acted with me and around us has been top. 

  "Sometimes if things in your career aren't optimal, you've got to act well and he has."

  Chelsea sit in 10th place in the league and look to bounce back from their disappointing 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Everton.

  Unai Emery's Villa are level on points with the Blues in 11th and are unbeaten in their last four league games.

• Ten Hag hopeful Rashford will be available for Newcastle clash

  Erik ten Hag has "good hope" that star man Marcus Rashford will be available for Manchester United's vital Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Sunday.

  Rashford has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career so far, netting 27 goals in all competitions to help the Red Devils to end their six-year trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup in February, beating Newcastle in the final.

  However, Rashford was forced to withdraw from the England squad for the recent international break after picking up a knock late on in the FA Cup victory over Fulham.

  With Ten Hag's men travelling to play the Magpies again on Sunday in a crucial encounter in the race for the Champions League spots, the Dutchman believes Rashford is in with a strong chance of featuring.

  "I've good hope," Ten Hag told reporters at his pre-match news conference. "He trained but he had to do some treatment, he had to do some individual training. Today he joined in with the group.

  "We have one more day. I have a good hope he will be available."

  Rashford's impressive season comes after a disappointing 2021-22 campaign, in which he scored just five goals in all competitions as the Red Devils recorded their lowest-ever Premier League points tally.

  When asked about the influence he had exerted on Rashford's much-improved form, Ten Hag pointed to the 25-year-old's enhanced mentality as well as coaching, while revealing talks were going on behind the scenes to extend the forward's deal with the club, which is set to expire at the end of next season.

  "I'm not Harry Potter," Ten Hag said. "It's like a process. There are many tools you're putting in your management to let people get to [their] best form and best shape. It's about line-up, way of playing,

  "Especially it's a lot about himself because he's the one and he has the skills. So when he is in the best attitude, best mentality, then he will score goals.

  "It's [new contract talks] an internal process. We focus on winning games. Of course, [we are] also planning for the future so in the back we're working on that. It's about agents, it's about football director John Murtaugh. Rashy and I are focusing on performing."

  Following his withdrawal from the England squad, Rashford was pictured in New York after flying out to the United States for a holiday.

  Having played 44 games for United already this season, Ten Hag has no problem with the forward getting away to rest ahead of a busy end to the campaign.

  "I think it's positive that he was on a break," Ten Hag added. "I think Rashford, I think with Bruno [Fernandes], he was playing the most games of the whole squad.

  "Our players are playing the most games in this crazy season. They need a breather to collect energy. For me, it's positive he took that time to turn off from football.

  "I have seen him back this week and he has shown a lot of energy, a lot of motivation, it was a good spirit and a lot of focus."