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Marcus Rashford has returned to Manchester United’s squad for Monday’s night’s visit of Newcastle United in the Premier League.
The England international has missed the club’s last four games in all competitions after first being left out of the squad for the derby win over Manchester City earlier this month.
Head coach Ruben Amorim later called that decision “selection” and has since hinted that Rashford was not meeting the standards required of a United player.
Following his absence against City, Rashford said he was “ready for a new challenge” and is prepared to take the “next steps” in his career.
However, with his squad stretched by the packed festive schedule Amorim has returned the 27-year-old to the bench for the meeting with Newcastle at Old Trafford. Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund and Amad Diallo were named as starters in attack.
Rashford had featured in all 15 of United’s Premier League games prior to his omission at the Etihad Stadium, starting 12 of them.
He has played 24 times in all competitions this season, scoring seven goals and adding three assists with his last outing coming in the Europa League victory away at Viktoria Plzen on December 12.
When asked recently what he wanted to see from Rashford in order for him to earn his place back, Amorim said: “Like any other player, the best that they can be.
“If you want to have big talent — big performance, big responsibility, big engagement, push forward everybody in this moment.
“Some guys have a big responsibility here because they’re here for a long time. This is maybe one of the lowest moments in our club so we have to face it and be strong in this moment. That’s what I want from every player on the team.”
United, who have lost four of their last five games, sit 14th in the Premier League table.
GO DEEPER
Stand offs like Rashford and Amorim at Man Utd rarely end in true reconciliation
(Michael Regan/Getty Images)
