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Manchester United will have all their available players back in training on Thursday after the club’s facilities were shut due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
A series of positive coronavirus cases forced United to halt first-team operations at their Carrington training ground last week and saw their Premier League games against Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion postponed.
Players returned to training on a staggered basis following Monday’s announcement that the festive Premier League fixtures would be going ahead as planned, which came after six games were called off last weekend.
Thursday will see the outstanding members of the team report for duty again, with United building up to their return to action against Newcastle United on Monday.
“The lads have been training and today [Wednesday] we brought all the rest of the lads back to training, there are only a couple left that will be coming in tomorrow,” Rashford told United Daily.
“So, we’ve pretty much got the full squad back, which is a positive going into the week.”
Ralf Rangnick oversaw successive 1-0 wins after taking charge and against Newcastle could become the first United manager to keep a clean sheet in each of their first three league games.
Recent history is on the Red Devils’ side, with United having won their past four Premier League meetings with Newcastle – their best run since coming out on top in five straight encounters from 2004 until 2006.
“Everyone is looking forward and everyone is very positive at the minute,” said Rashford, who has been involved in seven goals (four scored, three assisted) in as many top-flight matches against the Magpies.
“We were all disappointed when the last game got cancelled but, at the end of the day, there’s nothing you can really do about it. We have to just focus on the next game that will be played and hopefully that game goes ahead.”
United take on Burnley at home three days after their trip to St James’ Park, with Wolves visiting Old Trafford the following Monday.
Rashford said: “I definitely enjoy this time of year. I think the way you start the season and the way you play, and the results you get around the Christmas period, are probably the two most important points [in the season].
“So, if we have a good Christmas period now, then we can keep that momentum going and that will take you into the big games where the trophies are come the end of the season.”
