Manchester United’s pre-season preparation is set to become even more serious in the coming weeks, with the first-team players who were at the World Cup close to a return.
After Manchester United beat Rosenborg 5-0, now attentions will turn toward which World Cup players will return to take on Atletico Madrid next weekend.
Despite being at the World Cup, Tyler Fletcher played against Wrexham and Rosenborg, but the more senior players who were at the competition have, so far, taken the full break they are entitled to.
So with this in mind, the return is near, and here is when each of the 11 players are due to be back in training for Michael Carrick.
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When each Manchester United player could return for pre-season
The World Cup returnees appear likely to happen in phases, with Monday potentially being when we will see the first wave.
- Altay Bayindir – Eligible for return from July 16th
- Amad – Eligible for return from July 21st
- Matheus Cunha – Eligible for return from July 26th
- Bruno Fernandes – Eligible for return from July 27th
- Diogo Dalot – Eligible for return from July 27th
Potential return: July 27th
These five were out between the group stage and the round of 16, with Monday seeming like a date we could expect them to return for a full week of training before the Atletico Madrid friendly.
Although it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha get a bit longer, as they played a big role at the World Cup.
The second group of returnees will likely be back a week on Monday, after the Atletico game, this includes £35m signing Youri Tielemans, if he is fit following a knock during the World Cup.
- Noussair Mazraoui – Eligible for return from July 30th
- Senne Lammens – Eligible for return from July 31st
- Youri Tielemans – Eligible for return from July 31st
Potential return: August 3rd
These three could therefore be available for the game against PSG on August 8th.
The final group of returning players is those who were involved in the bronze match and the final.
- Kobbie Mainoo – Eligible for return from August 8th
- Marcus Rashford – Eligible for return from August 8th
- Lisandro Martinez – Eligible for return from August 9th (pending injury information)
Potential return: August 10th
Mainoo, Rashford, and Martinez could all be ready to play a part against Leeds in Dublin, or more likely on the 15th against AC Milan – unless Mainoo returns early.
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Manchester United will be almost full strength for the Premier League opener
All being well, United’s squad for the August 22nd season opener against Hull City will be pretty much full strength, with hopefully a few more additions to come.
Even the likes of Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo should be firing and ready to go by the time the actual season comes around, with a few weeks to build themselves up to it.
There are only a few players currently who look like doubts.
- Benjamin Sesko – Shin injury, but expected back by the season start
- Lisandro Martinez – Injured during World Cup final
- Youri Tielemans – Injured at World Cup but not expected to be serious
- Matthijs de Ligt – Recovering from back surgery
Of these four, we can expect at least Sesko and Tielemans to be fine pretty soon, and so United should be almost at full complement for the Hull City clash.
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