Manchester United restart their domestic campaign in six days’ time when they welcome Burnley to Old Trafford in Wednesday’s League Cup clash.
The Reds ended the first-half of the season in dramatic style, Alejandro Garnacho netting a stoppage-time winner in the 2-1 win over Fulham. He didn’t travel to Qatar with Argentina with Lisandro Martinez, who faces centre-half partner Raphael Varane of France in Sunday’s final.
Instead, Garnacho and the remaining squad travelled to Spain where they played two friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis before returning to England to play a behind-closed-doors match with Everton on Wednesday, which finished 1-1.
READ MORE: United play Everton in behind-closed-doors friendly
As Erik ten Hag continues to get his squad ready in time for the restart, he had his players out on the Carrington training pitch on Thursday. There were three things noted in United’s latest training session.
Pellistri returns to training
Facundo Pellistri enjoyed more first-team football at the World Cup with Uruguay than he has during his two-year stay at United, the youngster yet to make his senior debut for the Reds. His country’s exploits ended at the first hurdle, South Korea’s late winner against Portugal sending them home earlier than expected.
Pellistri was seen back in United training on Thursday and could get his senior debut against Burnley next week. The other group stage departee Christian Eriksen was not spotted.
Tuanzebe back on the grass
Axel Tuanzebe continued his road to recovery by undergoing an individualised training session in the bitter conditions. The defender is on his way back from a long-term injury that saw him exit the club’s pre-season tour early.
Tuanzebe is not expected to be back before Christmas but the picture is starting to look evermore promising for the 25-year-old, whose last United outing came in the 2021 Europa League final. Donny van de Beek was also spotted in the pictures, giving Ten Hag a further boost as he was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up vs Betis at short notice.
Martial and Elanga bond
Anthony Martial looked in high spirits as he took to the Carrington turf. He was seen smiling alongside Anthony Elanga, the pair seemingly sharing a joke or two during the session.
Martial was left out of France’s World Cup squad and was not called up to replace the injured Karim Benzema, so United can take his good mood as a major positive. Elanga played in both friendlies in Spain and will hope to feature against Burnley, with Martial surely a shoo-in for selection.
READ NEXT:
