Manchester United have completed week one of pre-season training at Carrington ahead of a huge Premier League season.
Players reported back to the training complex at the start of the week with the likes of Mason Mount, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford present. The pre-season schedule begins on Monday with a trip to Norway to face Rosenborg.
Erik ten Hag is expected to use a blend of youth and experience at the start of pre-season, mainly due to the fact that a number of his star players have represented their countries in major tournaments.
The signings of Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt are close to being confirmed but they will be handed an extended break after reaching the semi-final of Euro 2024 with the Netherlands.
Despite it only being early days, there is plenty to take away from the first week at Carrington. Here, MEN Sport has picked out five things that we have spotted so far.
Perhaps the biggest positive to come from the first week of pre-season training is the return of Jadon Sancho. The winger returned to training after resolving his rift with Erik ten Hag. The Manchester Evening News understands that Ten Hag and Sancho held a positive meeting this week and agreed to put their disagreement behind them. His return could almost be like a new signing for United.
(Image: Ash Donelon)Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake have started their roles within Erik ten Hag’s coaching team at Carrington. The arrival of the pair was announced earlier this week and they have already begun work on the training ground to help players with their individual development. Ten Hag is renowned for getting involved in sessions but the arrival of two like-minded coaches is certainly a step in the right direction in backing the Dutchman.
(Image: Ash Donelon)Sancho’s return is a boost for United. His performances for Borussia Dortmund last season showed exactly what they were missing and his presence will be a positive. However, it does leave Amad Diallo’s role in the team uncertain. Currently speaking, he is competing with Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Sancho and Antony for a place in the wide positions. If he wasn’t considering a move before, he certainly could be now.
(Image: Ash Donelon)As always, pre-season is a good opportunity for academy players to get time with the first-team to potentially impress the manager. Youngsters have been part of the first week of training throughout, with Maxi Oyedele and James Nolan two featured often in the selection of images released. Neither player has made a first-team appearance for United but they stand a good chance of being presented the opportunity to impress in pre-season.
Van Nistelrooy’s appointment at United is all but certain to excite the attackers at the club. The Dutchman scored 150 goals for United so he knows where the back of the net is but he has been spending his first week getting to know the entire squad at Carrington. One player who could be swayed to stay at the club is Casemiro, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. A player with vast experience, some sign of stability could be what the Brazilian needs to come good for United.
(Image: Matthew Peters)