EPL: Manchester United v Newcastle preview

Manchester United v Newcastle preview

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in contention to play for Manchester United at home to Newcastle on Saturday evening, after successfully overcoming a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The 36-year-old Swede suffered the injury during United's Europa League quarter-final tie against Anderlecht in April, and was released from his contract at the end of last season before re-signing on a new one-year deal in August.

Ibrahimovic's return is not the only good news for Jose Mourinho as Paul Pogba is set to return following a 12-week lay-off with a hamstring injury.

Newcastle approach the game (kick-off 5.30pm) in indifferent form having suffered consecutive 1-0 defeats to Burnley and Bournemouth in the Premier League, and have picked up just one win in their last six league matches.

In his pre-match press conference, Rafa Benitez played down any rift with Mourinho, saying: "We are playing against Manchester United. It is not important who the managers are. He (Mourinho) is a good manager who has won a lot. I'm more concerned about [Romelu] Lukaku, [Juan] Mata and [Marcus] Rashford."

Ibrahimovic and Pogba are not the only long-term absentees returning to the fold for Manchester United this weekend, as defender Marcos Rojo is also available for selection having recovered from a knee injury.

In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Mourinho said of the trio: "All three selected for the match.

"With Paul, you can see - and now I can speak because he's back and I didn't like to speak when he was injured - Manchester United this season before the injury and after the injury there are qualities in our football.

"Zlatan, last season, we played with him every minute almost until he was injured - this season we learned how to play without him.

"We've played in a different way but he's a very important player for us and of course welcomed back."

Jose Mourinho has welcomed the return of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic

One player who is unlikely to feature for the hosts is Phil Jones as he suffered a thigh injury while on international duty with England, while Michael Carrick is also a doubt with a calf strain.

Benitez, meanwhile, will be unable to call upon his captain Jamaal Lascelles (ankle), as well as Christian Atsu (thigh), Mikel Merino (back) and Paul Dummett (hamstring).