Competition is key to success for Tynesiders
RAFA Benitez knows he will have to dish out disappointing news to some of his squad ahead of today’s home clash with Stoke City.
The Magpies beat Swansea City without requiring the services of Florian Lejeune, Jonjo Shelvey, and DeAndre Yedlin, while Rolando Aarons did not even make the squad.
Chancel Mbemba is also back in contention after injury, meaning some big names might not even make the bench this weekend.
However, Benitez has told his squad members to be ready and stay sharp in training.
He told the Chronicle: “That is good for the team.
“It is important for every player here to know if we want to be stronger in the long run we have to compete.
“Sometimes others play more games. Others will have to wait to make things difficult for me and they will have to work in a way so that if they have to play they will be ready.
“As a professional, you cannot complain if you are not playing two or three games and not training well.
“Maybe then the fourth game you have to play and you will not be ready.
“If you play badly everybody will say: ‘Maybe that is why you did not play before.’ Competition is healthy.”
Benitez’s options mean Stoke boss Mark Hughes has been left to guess how United will line-up, with decisions to be made in all outfield departments.
The Spaniard added: “The competition is good and both Javier Manquillo and Yedlin are good options for us.
“Joselu with Dwight Gayle and Mitrovic, after finishing his suspension, will be more good competition.
“We need that competition because the Premier League is so difficult and we need players doing really well.”