As Manchester United draw closer to the arrival of Ruben Amorim, there’s still work to do on multiple fronts.
Amorim will arrive on November 11, and gave his new employers an idea of what he can do as his Sporting Lisbon side overcame Manchester City in the Champions League. United failed to qualify for the same competition this season, but an FA Cup win means they’re vying for Europa League glory this term.
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy put his squad through their paces in training on Wednesday, little over twenty-four hours before they play Greek team PAOK in Europe. United might miss out on the knockout stages after drawing their first three European games, in addition to their opponents on Thursday being winless.
Carrington’s most current photos have been viewed by Mirror Football, but sometime next week, Amorim will be adding his own touch. Here are some of the key points of debate from the most recent session, along with a few friendly faces.
1. Rashford’s solo session
Marcus Rashford was spotted doing some individual training as United’s squad got ready for European action. However, he was back with the main group later in the session.
It has been a challenging season for the forward, who hasn’t scored a league goal since the victory over Southampton in mid-September. He got a goal and an assist in the 3-3 draw with Porto, but it’s still been a relatively barren campaign.
Sporting’s win over Manchester City on Tuesday showed how Amorim can make good use of pace out wide, and Rashford may well be encouraged by that. A big performance against PAOK wouldn’t hurt either.
2. Yoro finally back
Erik ten Hag didn’t get the chance to use Leny Yoro after bringing him to Old Trafford, with a foot injury sustained in pre-season keeping the Frenchman out of action. At long last, though, the former Lille man is back.
Yoro joined his new team-mates on the training ground, and was spotted with a smile on his face as he got to work. It remains to be seen whether he will get minutes on Thursday, but it’s a possibility.
New boss Amorim has favoured a three-at-the-back system in Lisbon. A player with Yoro’s energy and qualities would appear to suit that system well.
3. Malacia getting closer
Tyrell Malacia is another man who has yet to make it onto the pitch this term. The Dutchman’s absence has been an even longer one, though, as he hasn’t featured in more than a year due to injury.
Erik ten Hag’s issues with the left-back position were plain to see, with Luke Shaw regularly joining Malacia on the sidelines. His return can offer greater balance, while offering healthy competition on the right between Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot.
“Over a season now from an injury to return, but he’s working very hard, he’s progressing really well in this moment,” Ten Hag said of Malacia in October. The wait could soon be over, albeit with a different man in the dugout.
4. Youngsters still involved
United confirmed an update to their UEFA Youth League squad on Thursday, with a number of players with senior experiency dropping back down. Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley are available to face Zalgiris, having been unused subs for the Europa League game against Fenerbahce, with Jack Fletcher also in contention.
Amass, a left-back, has dropped back down after Malacia’s return to the first team picture. However, a couple of other youngsters were spotted in training.
Teenage centre-backs Daniel Armer and Jack Kingdon joined United’s senior stars at Carrington ahead of Thursday’s game. Neither has made a first-team appearance, though Kingdon got a 90-minute runout against Doncaster in this season’s EFL Trophy.
