Manchester United are back at Carrington today as their pre-season training programme begins
Ruben Amorim of Manchester United returns for pre-season at Carrington Training Ground
Ruben Amorim and his Manchester United players are back at Carrington today for pre-season training
Manchester United return to pre season training on Monday, but it will be five absent players who will garner the most interest.
The Reds will be back at Carrington as they officially start their build up to the new Premier League season which is now only five weeks away.
But wantaway five Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia will not be among them. The quintet have been granted extra time away from the club as they seek moves away this summer.
New signing Matheus Cunha will be at Carrington as the Brazil international links up with his new club teammates for the first time following his £62.5million move from Wolves.
He is the sole addition to Ruben Amorim’s squad so far this summer with United continuing to work on a deal for Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo.
The Reds will hope to tie up a move for the 25-year-old in the coming weeks ahead of their first pre season outing against Leeds United in Sweden on July 19. Here’s four things to monitor as United get back to work.
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Wantaway five
They won’t be there but the key to United’s squad overhaul will be what happens to the quintet who are no longer wanted and no longer want to be at the club.
With the exception of Malacia, United should be seeking sizeable fees for the remaining four and the sooner deals are done the quicker the money can be reinvested and replacements can be sought.
Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho and Antony should rake in £120million + and fund the United rebuild that is so desperately needed.
Amorim’s moment
This is the time for Amorim. Having arrived last November, United’s domestic campaign was dismal and the gamble of focussing on the Europa League failed when Tottenham prevailed in the final.
Amorim knows the pressure will increase if United suffer a slow start to the season and it means work on the training pitch is vital. The old Trafford chief was short of time last term with a relentless fixture list but he’ll get plenty of it over the coming weeks and with no European football on the schedule for next term, Amorim will have the opportunity to right the wrongs of last season.
Future hint
Pre season is often the time we see youngsters afforded opportunities to impress.
Amorim has shown he is prepared to offer chances to prospects with Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven regularly handed senior minutes in the latter stages of last season while Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson also featured.
That quartet will have eyes on cementing senior squad spots over the coming weeks while there are several promising players amid the successful United academy ranks who will be harbouring hopes of making the step up.
Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone and Bendito Mantato among others will be out to impress.
Cunha’s statement
Matheus Cunha is the headline act of United’s summer so far.
Monday will see the £62.5million arrival join up with his new teammates for the first time. The hope is that the Brazil international will be able to revitalise United’s blunt attack.
The Reds still harbour hopes of completing a deal for Bryan Mbeumo with the forward keen to join but so far talks have yet to yield a breakthrough with Brentford.
Cunha will surely occupy one of the number 10 roles at Old Trafford and getting the new man up to speed as quickly as possible will be a key priority for Amorim this week.