Marcus Rashford is fit to play in Sunday’s FA Cup third-round match against Arsenal, manager Ruben Amorim announced on Friday.
Rashford, 27, missed four consecutive games before playing as an unutilised substitute in United’s Dec. 30 home loss to Newcastle United.
Last week, the academy product missed their 2-2 draw against Liverpool due to illness.
Amorim first benched Rashford for the mid-December 2-1 derby victory over Manchester City, two days before the England international declared he was “ready for a new challenge” after playing for United his entire career since he was seven years old.
Since making his senior debut for the team in 2016, Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 games, helping them win the League Cup thrice, two FA Cups, and the Europa League.
“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.
Against the Gunners at the Emirates, United’s number two goalie, Altay Bayindir, who took Andre Onana’s place in their League Cup quarterfinal loss at Tottenham Hotspur last month, will start.
The 26-year-old Turkey international started all three of United’s League Cup matches this season but was criticised for mistakes 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.”
