Following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Erik ten Hag gave his Manchester United players an extra day off on Monday.
Ten Hag and the United first team have been pictured training at Carrington today ahead of Thursday’s Europa League Group E game against Sheriff Tiraspol.
Here are three things we spotted from Manchester United’s latest training session.
Cristiano Ronaldo cracks a smile with David de Gea
Having been dropped for Saturday’s draw against Graham Potter’s Blues after walking down the tunnel and leaving Old Trafford during United’s 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was reintegrated into first-team training.
The 37-year-old is in contention to start his fifth Europa League game in a row after him and Ten Hag seemingly came to a truce after holding clear the air talks.
During a rondo’s session, Ronaldo’s initial attempted pass was intercepted by De Gea, but as the ball came back towards the former Juventus man, he tried to nutmeg the Spaniard, but United’s number one wasn’t having any of it.
Ronaldo shared a beaming smile after his failed attempt and De Gea passed him the bib and Portugal’s captain went into the middle.
No sign of Anthony Martial
As well as Ronaldo, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek returned to group training ahead of the reverse clash against the Moldovan league leaders.
Martial, who was replaced by Ronaldo after picking up a back injury against Everton, has missed the last four games and he didn’t form part of today’s session.
The former Monaco man hasn’t played more than 45 minutes in a game this season, but he does have three goals and two assists from 133 minutes.
The Frenchman has been joined on the sidelines by his compatriot Raphael Varane who isn’t expected to feature for United again before the World Cup after picking up a knee injury against Chelsea.
Lisandro Martinez flying into tackles
Despite losing his regular centre-back partner Varane to injury, the fiery Argentine wasn’t going to take it easy on the former Real Madrid man’s likely replacement Victor Lindelof.
United’s number six was snapping into tackles with the Iceman and back-up goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Sweden’s captain didn’t take a backwards step, but Newcastle United’s loanee seemed a little surprised at the former Ajax man’s aggression during a rondos drill.
But that’s what the South American is all about – he wants to win at all costs at everything, and it isn’t in his DNA to play or train with himself.
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