A group of Manchester United players, including Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes, made their return to the club’s training base at Carrington on Saturday morning. The squad members, who had been involved in international duty during the June internationals, commenced their pre-season training ahead of the upcoming 2023-24 campaign. The team’s preparation kicked off with a friendly match against Leeds United, resulting in a 2-0 victory with goals from Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill.
Head coach Erik ten Hag opted for a predominantly young squad during the game in Oslo, although he included some familiar faces such as Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Jadon Sancho. Mason Mount, a recent addition to Manchester United, also had his debut for the club, playing the first half of the match before being substituted at halftime.
Hannibal Mejbri, Amad Diallo, and Kobbie Mainoo were among the starters against Leeds, showcasing their potential as they aimed to secure a place in the first-team squad for the upcoming season. The team’s next challenge will be a fixture against Lyon, a French team, in Edinburgh on Wednesday afternoon.
However, ten Hag stated that the returning international players might not participate in the match against Lyon. He emphasized the importance of allowing these players sufficient rest and a gradual return to training, considering their heavy workload in the previous season. The coach acknowledged that it is crucial to manage their reintegration carefully, rather than rushing their recovery process.
Following the Lyon clash, Manchester United will embark on their pre-season tour in the United States. Their tour schedule includes matches against Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund. These games will serve as crucial preparation leading up to their Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14. The team’s first away fixture of the season will take place against Tottenham Hotspur on August 19.
Unfortunately, Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek, and Dean Henderson are currently unavailable for selection due to their ongoing recovery from injuries. Additionally, Fred’s participation in the Lyon match is uncertain as he continues to deal with an issue that kept him out of the Leeds game. Furthermore, there have been strong speculations linking the Brazilian midfielder with a potential exit from the club.