Despite being in the bottom half of the table, Manchester United’s squad appear to be in good spirits.
The Red Devils are preparing for an important second half of the season that includes competing in three competitions.
Although success in the Premier League looks to be reserved for next season, there is hope the side can enjoy a better run in Europe.
The team are preparing for their final Europa League group match away to FCSB on Thursday, and have been spotted enjoying their last training session before the matchup in Bucharest.
Why Ruben Amorim and Darren Fletcher ‘ran gauntlet’ during Man United training
Ruben Amorim has been putting the finishing touches on his plans for Thursday’s Europa League match in Romania, which, if other results go their way, could see the Red Devils finish as high as second in the table.
And during the training session, which saw Luke Shaw return, the United manager was spotted ‘running the gauntlet’. The United first team lined up to slap Amorim, and assistant coach Darren Fletcher, as the pair ran through to the other side.
Check out what happened in the video below (we’ve time-stamped it for you).
It has been confirmed by Man United that ‘running the gauntlet’ has become a tradition under Amorim.
Normally players who have recently returned from injury let their teammates playfully slap them but Amorim and Fletcher did it on Wednesday due to their recent, and upcoming, birthdays.
Amorim turned 40 on Monday with Fletcher preparing to celebrate his 41st birthday on February 1.
Morale high despite media circus
Noise around United is always loud, but the January transfer window has turned things up a notch.
Amorim’s recent and very public criticism of Marcus Rashford has sparked huge debate. Many are now wondering where the 27-year-old will be playing after next week’s Deadline Day.
However, despite the constant chit-chat surrounding the players and their manager, judging by this latest training clip, it seems the squad’s morale is up overall.
Winning games help too and United are now on a two-match winning streak — a run they hope to extend to three when they travel to Romania for their upcoming European encounter.
Thursday night’s match against FCSB is due to kick off at 8 p.m. (UK time) and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
