Manchester United greeted their international stars back at their pre-season training grounds on a sunny Saturday morning. These players had been granted a well-deserved extended holiday after representing their respective countries in the intense competitions of June.
While Erik ten Hag’s squad was already in the midst of their pre-season preparations, the recent friendly match against Leeds showcased a predominantly youthful team selected by the Dutch manager. The showdown took place in Oslo and ended in a convincing 2-0 victory.
Among the standout performers in that Norwegian encounter were rising talents like Kobbie Mainoo, Hannibal Mejbri, and Noam Emeran. However, it was not just the young guns who shone on the field; the French football legend, Raphael Varane, also made an appearance. He had bid farewell to international football, choosing to focus solely on club commitments. On the other hand, Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount were absent from their national teams, Argentina and England, respectively, due to injuries they had sustained towards the end of the previous season.
But as the squad readied for the upcoming challenges, notable names were missing from the travelling lineup. Players like Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Christian Eriksen were absent for various reasons.
Now, after slightly over a month’s break from the grueling international fixtures that wrapped up in the second week of June, most of the stars had dutifully returned to the Carrington training facility. There were, however, two conspicuous absentees on Saturday – Eric Bailly and Alex Telles.
It appears that neither Bailly nor Telles are in the plans for the future of Manchester United. They have slipped down the pecking order and fallen out of favor with the management. Bailly’s last season saw him on loan at Marseille, where he faced a suspension of seven games following a dangerous tackle. Similarly, Telles had a stint at Sevilla, but both players now find themselves behind a considerable queue of talent vying for a regular starting position.
As the team gears up for the friendly match against Lyon in Edinburgh on Wednesday, fans can expect a mix of youthful exuberance and seasoned expertise on the field. However, the real test will come during the pre-season tour of the United States, starting with a showdown against Arsenal in New Jersey three days later.
Unfortunately, it seems highly unlikely that Bailly or Telles will participate in these upcoming matches. With their futures at Old Trafford in question, they are believed to be on the verge of leaving the club. As such, they have not reported back for training, adding further uncertainty to an already intriguing pre-season for Manchester United.