Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is available for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Arsenal after falling ill, manager Ruben Amorim said on Friday.

The 27-year-old Rashford was left out of the squad for four straight matches before being an unused substitute in United’s home defeat to Newcastle United on Dec. 30. The academy product then fell ill and missed their 2-2 draw at Liverpool last week.

Amorim first dropped Rashford for the 2-1 derby win at Manchester City in mid-December, two days before the England international said he was “ready for a new challenge” after spending his entire career at United since the age of seven.

Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since making his senior debut for the club in 2016, winning the Europa League, two FA Cups and the League Cup twice.

“Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are available, they are training and we will see the selection for the game,” the Portuguese coach told reporters on Friday.

Asked whether any academy players will be sold or loaned in the January transfer window, Amorim said: “Our idea is always to keep the best players and to build for this club, but I am really happy and I like our players.

“My players are always my favourites so I want to keep my players. It is a special moment in this club.”

United won their 13th FA Cup last season and only Arsenal (14) have won the trophy more times. “We won some cups, we want to continue. We know at this stage we have a really tough match but we want to win,” Amorim said.

United’s number two goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, who replaced Andre Onana in their League Cup quarter-final loss at Tottenham Hotspur last month, will start against the Gunners at the Emirates.

The 26-year-old Turkey international started all three of United’s League Cup ties this season but faced criticism for errors in the 4-3 loss at Tottenham.

“I don’t rotate (the squad) because I want to rotate,” Amorim added.

“I’m trying to find the best solutions to win the game. I put the guys in who are more fresh to cope with the demands of the game. The goalkeeper position is different, Altay will play.”

-Reuters

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Holders Manchester United will travel to record 14-time winners Arsenal in what promises to be an enthralling clash in the FA Cup third round in January, while Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea were all drawn at home to fourth-tier rivals.

United, 13-times winners of the competition, visit Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday, a little over a month before their FA Cup fixture.

The third round matches, where Premier League and second-tier clubs enter the competition, will be held from Jan. 9-13.

Aston Villa, with seven FA Cup titles to their name, will welcome West Ham United in the only other all-Premier League clash.

Last season’s losing finalists Manchester City host fourth-tier neighbours Salford City, while Premier League leaders Liverpool welcome Accrington Stanley and Chelsea are at home to another League Two side Morecambe.

Tottenham Hotspur, eight-times winners, travel to non-league Tamworth.

Tamworth and Dagenham and Redbridge are the only two non-league clubs that made it to the third round this year, with the latter visiting second-tier Millwall.

Brighton and Hove Albion, fourth in the Premier League, travel to Championship Norwich City.

Championship leaders Sheffield United will host Cardiff City, 20th in the standings.

-Reuters

If Manchester United’s thrilling and surprise FA Cup victory over Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday was manager Erik ten Hag’s final game as their manager, then what a send-off it was.

Teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored to lead United to a 2-1 upset of the holders and Premier League champions as speculation swirled about Ten Hag’s future.

Although the 54-year-old Dutchman told ITV he had no doubt he would be back and has said he has received the backing of the club’s owners all season, he was less confident in his post-game press conference.

“I don’t think about this,” Ten Hag said when asked about his future. “I’m in a project and we are exactly where we want to be. We’re constructing a team. When I took over it was a mess at United, and we are on our way to construct a team for the future.

“The team is developing, the team is winning and the team also plays to an identity. What you need to play is to be available, you need a strong squad in top football, and especially when you play in England, the Premier League is so competitive.”

Garnacho and Mainoo were two of United’s bright sparks in a disappointing season in which they finished a worst-ever eighth in the Premier League era.

The 19-year-olds were in fine form at a sun-drenched Wembley and after the final whistle defender Lisandro Martinez hoisted a grinning Ten Hag into the air to celebrate.

“We are delighted for the manager,” midfielder Scott McTominay said.

UNBEATEN RUN

Ten Hag, who kissed the trophy before lifting it in front of the United fans, became the first manager to beat Pep Guardiola’s City in a major domestic final and ended their 35-game unbeaten run in open play.

“It is a glorious feeling to win the FA Cup final at Wembley,” said United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.

“Manchester United clearly were not the favourites to win today but they played with total commitment and skill and overcame one of the great teams in football. We are all very proud of the players and the staff who work tirelessly to support them.”

In Ten Hag’s two seasons in charge, United have played in three Wembley finals and lifted two trophies (they won last season’s League Cup). If sacking after such a positive finale seems implausible, however, there is precedent.

Louis Van Gaal was fired two days after United’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Crystal Palace in 2016 after the team finished fifth in the Premier League.

“We have to keep going, and I’m not satisfied with it, we have to do better and if they don’t want me anymore, then I go anywhere else to win trophies, because that is what I did my whole career,” Ten Hag said. “That is what they always tell me.”

Guardiola had kind words for United’s manager.

“(United) have to take a decision. So, I don’t know but of course he’s a lovely person, an extraordinary manager,” Guardiola said.

Ten Hag’s press conference ended abruptly when a reporter pointed out that eighth in the Premier League was not good enough for United.

“Sorry to say this, but you don’t have any knowledge about football, about managing a football team,” Ten Hag said. “When you don’t have the players available, then you can’t perform, so simple as that.

“And if that is the opinion, it is no problem. Then I go anywhere else and I go and keep winning trophies.”

-Reuters