Manchester United kicked off pre-season on Monday, but Thursday is expected to see several new faces return to Carrington in advance of the new campaign.
Ruben Amorim’s pre-season plans are underway, as he gets five weeks on the training ground before the Premier League begins with a heavyweight battle against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Due to the importance of this time off, Manchester United have wasted no time getting onto the pitch at Carrington.
On Monday, United welcomed a chunk of the squad back for pre-season, with Amad, Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee among those to report.
However, despite positives signs emerging from United’s pre-season training, there is plenty more to come with half the squad yet to return.
This should all change on Thursday, with United’s absent stars expected to report back to Carrington.
Ruben Amorim takes part in a rondo drill with Manchester United players.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
First-team Man Utd players who are expected back at the Carrington on Thursday
United travel to Sweden and then the USA later this month for pre-season ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, and Amorim will have a strong squad to bring with him on this tour thanks to no major international competitions.
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While 15 senior players reported on Monday, added to by a handful of talented youngsters, Thursday should see several players make their return to the training facilities before they likely get stuck into training on Friday.
Altay Bayindir
Diogo Dalot
Harry Maguire
Leny Yoro
Patrick Dorgu
Casemiro
Manuel Ugarte
Bruno Fernandes
Sekou Kone
Rasmus Hojlund
Chido Obi
These players were all involved in international competitions over the summer, or are recovering from injury which explains the absences of Maguire and Yoro, but all should return this week.
It is possible that Fernandes and Dalot won’t be back on Thursday, with United affording the pair additional time off to grieve the tragic loss of their friend and international teammate Diogo Jota.
There are five players who won’t be in United’s pre-season training, after having been told to find themselves a new club this summer. However, despite this instruction, Marcus Rashford has been in solo training at Carrington since Monday.
How Manchester United’s current strongest line-up would look
With everyone back for pre-season, it is clear to see that United still need to strengthen in the transfer market. However what would be the strongest line-up for United if the season began tomorrow?
In goal, right now it would have to be Andre Onana although Radek Vitek will be planning to change that during pre-season.
Moving into the defence and United’s back three likely includes both Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, while Harry Maguire or Matthijs de Ligt sit in the middle.
Amad seems a shoo-in for the wing-back role on the right, while on the left Patrick Dorgu is the obvious choice for United.
Midfield right now likely comprises Amorim favourite Manuel Ugarte alongside Kobbie Mainoo. This then sees Bruno Fernandes in the number 10 position where hopefully Bryan Mbeumo will soon be signed to play in.
Matheus Cunha will be the left sided number 10, while up front Joshua Zirkzee has been impressive in training and likely starts.