Man Utd posted a series of images to their club website, which showed the first-team stars wearing their new home kit.
A fair few eyebrows were raised when Manchester United uploaded images of their 32 first-team squad members modelling the club's new home shirt this week. The club sent a push notification to all of their official app users, promoting the gallery that showed every senior star wearing their newest kit release.
It was no surprise to see the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Leny Yoro wearing the new United home shirt, though it was a surprise to see images of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony 'wearing' it as well. That's because they weren't.
The attacking quartet are among the players expected to leave United in the summer transfer window, and it is understood their images were superimposed onto the new kit for brand purposes. United aim to use updated headshots of every player on the club's digital platforms for the new season and decided to give every contracted first-team player the same treatment for brand and continuity purposes.
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These measures are taken to dispel any unnecessary speculation over who might not have been spotted wearing the new kit, rather than fuel it as evidence that those linked with moves will end up staying.
Manchester United return to pre-season training next week
Manchester United players will begin to return for pre-season testing from Monday 7 July, with plenty of eyes set to be on those who could leave the club this summer.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony are all still contracted to the club and could be asked to attend pre-season tests, though United would also be allowed to grant additional leave to any player seeking a summer exit. Those decisions are entirely down to the club, and no official decision has been formally communicated as of yet.
It means that although the quartet are all deemed surplus to requirements, some of them could still be involved in the club's pre-season schedule if exits are not arranged before it gets underway. However, Ruben Amorim is likely to prioritise opportunities for those who are certain to be part of his plans next season.
It was a similar scenario last summer, when Sancho took part in the club's pre-season tour schedule after he had fallen out with Erik ten Hag, though he eventually joined Chelsea on a season-long loan. United face Leeds in Stockholm for their first summer friendly on 19 July before they face West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton in the Premier League Summer Series in the US. They will host Fiorentina in a final friendly fixture before the new season gets underway against Arsenal next month.
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