Manchester United’s players looked ready to brave the cold on Friday morning as they arrived for training ahead of Sunday’s clash with Newcastle.
Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Nemanja Matic were among the United players wrapping up warm as they drove into their Carrington training base.
Jose Mourinho takes his side to St James’ Park at the weekend to face a relegation-threatened Newcastle side.
Alexis Sanchez waves from the steering wheel as he arrives for training on Friday morning
Jesse Lingard drove team-mate Marcus Rashford to the Carrington training base
Rafa Benitez’s side lie just a point above the relegation zone and have won only one of their last seven Premier League games.
While it holds significance in Newcastle’s bid to beat the drop, visitors United can open up an eight-point gap in second with victory.
A title challenge remains unrealistic with runaway leaders Manchester City 13 points clear at the top, but United can extend their advantage over third-placed Liverpool before they go to Southampton later on Sunday.
Mourinho’s side have been in good form in recent weeks, claiming four wins out of their last five league games.
Paul Pogba had a blue hood up over his head as he drove in for another training session
Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic drove his striking red-coloured Jeep into training
Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku makes his way into training ahead of the trip to Newcastle
Key to that has been Anthony Martial, who scored in January wins over Everton, Stoke and Burnley.
French forward Martial is hoping to continue the rich vein of form that earned him January’s Player of the Month award.
He told MUTV: ‘I feel really good at the moment, I’m training hard and, to be fair, with the matches and results since the new year, we’ve made a decent start, so I hope we can continue in the same vein.
‘It’s a real honour for me that the supporters have voted for me. I think now it’s the third time it’s happened this season.
Spanish playmaker Juan Mata drives into Manchester United’s Carrington training ground
‘I just hope I can keep this run going and maybe even try and win a few more of them!’
A busy run of fixtures lies ahead for the Reds – who will battling across three fronts in the next fortnight, with a league trip to Newcastle United, an Emirates FA Cup fifth-round tie at Huddersfield Town and a UEFA Champions League visit to Sevilla to come.
‘We all like it when we’re playing every three days, that’s football at the highest level these days,’ added Martial.
‘We’re always ready and prepared and, what’s more, we have the squad to cope with the amount of games, so it’s an exciting period ahead.’
Midfielder Nemanja Matic was wrapped up warm as he arrived for Friday’s session