Related items

• 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."

• Klopp likens Liverpool's clash with Man City to a Champions League tie

  Jurgen Klopp likened Liverpool's Premier League clash with Manchester City to a Champions League tie ahead of a crucial game for both teams.

  While this fixture in previous years was a potential title decider, Liverpool have fallen behind their rivals this season and face a stern fight in order to secure a top-four finish.

  City, meanwhile, can temporarily close the gap upon leaders Arsenal to five points with a victory, with the Gunners hosting Leeds United later on Saturday, in their bid for a potential treble.

  Although the two sides have different objectives heading into the final stretch of the Premier League season, it remains a match where tempers could flare given the rivalry that has developed in recent years.

  Sat seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, with two games in hand, Liverpool face a battle to return to Europe's elite competition next season but Klopp feels this fixture has the same feel to it.

  "It's a super important game. That's the one thing not different to all the other years," he said in Friday's press conference.

  "We know it's a massive game, a massive week coming up. For tomorrow they deserve all the attention – we can't think about the other games.

  "It is like a Champions League week. I'm super excited. We are not dumb. We know the last game against Real Madrid wasn't a good game, before that at Bournemouth wasn't a good game, the one before [a 7-0 win over Manchester United] was world-class.

  "We have to pick up from there and react to the other two games."

  City could be without Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland for the clash at Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola staying tight-lipped on the striker's fitness, but Klopp knows the defending champions boast a threat even without their leading man.

  "When you prepare a game, you prepare all things to avoid the final pass – which is where Erling really comes into the game," he added.

  "He is a proper striker, but they became champions without a striker. That's how it is; you never know 100 per cent who can play."

  Liverpool face a decisive week in their top-four push, with the trip to face City followed by a clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before hosting league leaders Arsenal at Anfield next Sunday.

• Liverpool still 'an exceptional team', says Pep: 'My opinion doesn't change'

  Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists his opinion of Liverpool has not been altered by their below-par season in 2022-23.

  Liverpool visit Guardiola's City on Saturday with their campaign all but over.

  The Reds have long since been out of the Premier League title race and have a big task ahead of them just to finish in the top four.

  They did not win the EFL Cup and are out of the FA Cup and the Champions League.

  It is a far cry from last year, when Liverpool pushed City to the last day in the league, bidding for an unprecedented quadruple before falling just short and finishing with just the two domestic trophies.

  City are fighting Arsenal for the title this season, but Guardiola expects Liverpool to be back, even if he has no explanation for their lack of consistency.

  "They remain an exceptional team," said the City manager. "My opinion doesn't change for one season of ups and downs. Every club can have a season of ups and downs.

  "Now, the biggest rival is a different one this season. But with what happened in the past and in the future, they could be a big rival.

  "For one game, absolutely, they can beat everyone, like we can beat everyone. One game is one game.

  "It's about being consistent, and always Liverpool have been. This season... I don't know why [they have not been], because I'm not there, and honestly I don't care. I don't know the reason why, so you'll have to ask my colleague."

  If Liverpool's season has been one of "ups and downs", City's could yet end on a remarkable high.

  Second in the Premier League and into the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League quarter-finals, they remain in contention for the treble.

  But Guardiola continues to take one game at a time, explaining: "It's the best approach we can have. It can be boring, maybe it would be better if I said the opposite, but the reality is it's [about] the next game. Otherwise it cannot happen.

  "I've said many times: just one team in the history of the Premier League won the treble – the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup – because it's so difficult. That's why we should not think about these kind of things.

  "We have this game, then we have a long week and after a tough, tough schedule with many games. The most important thing is that we are still fighting.

  "We are in all competitions. That is awesome, that is so good."