Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Six players left at home as Man Utd name squad for first pre-season friendly

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Manchester United begin their pre-season schedule on Monday when they take on Rosenborg in Norway but Erik ten Hag has been required to leave some key stars at home for the friendly fixture

Erik ten Hag, Assistant Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy and Assistant Manager Rene Hake(Ash Donelon)

Manchester United have left six first team stars at their Carrington training base while Erik ten Hag leads his team to Norway for their first match of pre-season.

The Red Devils face Rosenborg on Monday evening in Trondheim after seeing players return for training over the last seven days. The Dutch manager has a reduced group to pick from as many players still enjoy time off after representing their nations at the likes of Euro 2024 and the Copa America.




Ten Hag will also be without Harry Maguire, who is still recovering from injury, in addition to Andre Onana, Victor Lindelof, Amad, Antony and Jadon Sancho. They remain at United’s training base to work on their fitness in line with their individual programmes.

The United squad does include the likes of Mason Mount, Casemiro, Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The group will otherwise be supplemented by youth prospects as the 13-times Premier League winners kick off their summer at the Lerkendal Stadium in the first of two friendlies before flying for their US tour. They will also face Rangers.

New signing Joshua Zirkzee will not be part of that group despite completing his move to Old Trafford on Sunday. The Dutch forward signed a five-year deal with the Red Devils as United agreed a deal worth more than £36million with Bologna for the striker’s services.

Zirkzee was in Netherlands squad as they reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 before falling to England thanks to Ollie Watkins’ 90th minute striker. The attacker was thrown on in the final minute of the match in search of a goal for his second appearance of the tournament.

Just days later Zirkzee completed his move to the Premier League. The ex-Bayern Munich prospect revealed he would only have a short break and was excited for a successful stint with the club.

Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United poses with Manager Erik ten Hag(Manchester United via Getty Images)

“Having had discussions with the manager and the leaders of the club I know how exciting the future is going to be here and I cannot wait to play my part in achieving success for Manchester United. I am a player who has always dedicated everything to winning,” he said.

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