Manchester United Stars Return to Training Ahead of Community Shield Clash
Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo have returned to Manchester United training ahead of the Community Shield clash against Manchester City. The duo, who both started in England's heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain on July 14, have been enjoying a well-deserved holiday but are now back in training and could feature in the upcoming Community Shield match.
The Red Devils' pre-season tour of the United States wrapped up last weekend with a comprehensive defeat against Liverpool. The squad jetted back to Manchester straight after their final game, where Shaw and Mainoo have rejoined them in a welcome boost.
Those who took part in the tour are expected to return to full training on Wednesday, as preparations ramp up for Saturday's showdown with local rivals Manchester City. The Community Shield, traditionally contested by the FA Cup and Premier League winners, offers United another chance to get one over on City, following their impressive victory back in May.
Shaw's Return From Injury and Mainoo's Rising Star
Shaw's last outing for United was on February 18, when a muscle injury sidelined him for the rest of the season and the Euro 2024 group stage. However, the defender made a triumphant return to the pitch during the quarter-finals against Switzerland and even featured in the semi-final clash with the Netherlands.
Luke Shaw and his young teammate Mainoo were firmly in the starting lineup for England's Euro 2024 final against Spain, taking to the pitch at Berlin's Olympiastadion. Mainoo has been turning heads not just at Manchester United where he bagged a decider in last season's FA Cup final victory over City, but also on the international stage under Gareth Southgate, as witnessed during Euro 2024.
March saw the Manchester Evening News drop the scoop that United was lining up talks for a new contract with Mainoo, nodding to his soaring stature at the club. The following weeks saw Mainoo get his first England call-up and subsequent debut in a match against Brazil, followed by an impressive performance versus Belgium.
Post-semi-final win over the Netherlands in Euro 2024, Southgate couldn't hide his admiration for Mainoo's extraordinary talent despite his youth, noting: "I think all of his performances have been exceptional, especially when you consider his age. We haven't really had a player like him until now.
"It makes such a difference when your midfield players can receive [the ball] pressed and turn with the ball so easily and comfortably. It looks simple when he does it, but it isn't simple.
"But I thought him and Phil [Foden] popping up in spaces, Jude [Bellingham]... our movement was really good. That caused a lot of problems and forced them to adapt how they were without the ball."
United's Return to Training and the Community Shield
Looking ahead, expectations are set for Shaw and Mainoo to take centre stage as the Premier League kicks off against Fulham.
Liverpool.com says: "Manchester United were well beaten by Arne Slot's new Liverpool side. But it's fair to say it was far from United's strongest side. Of course, Liverpool were also missing several superstars, but the Red Devils will be a very different side when injury problems ease and both Shaw and Mainoo return."
It will be interesting to see what sort of shape Ten Hag has his side in for the Community Shield as Liverpool looks on with interest to see what sort of threat they will pose when the Premier League season begins.
The Return of Key Players for United
Four more of Manchester United's players have returned for duty at Carrington, following their exploits at international level.
Portugal pair Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, who helped their country reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, before losing to France on penalties, begin their preparations for the 2024/25 campaign.
Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who made one appearance in Germany for Turkey, is also back at base, after his nation reached the same stage, losing 2-1 to the Netherlands.
Alejandro Garnacho is also present as he enjoyed the experience of representing Copa America winners Argentina in the United States.
Garnacho's international team-mate Lisandro Martinez is not due back until Monday, after his greater involvement in the tournament.
"Of course we have a plan for every individual where they have to show up and that plan is now running," commented manager Erik ten Hag. "Alejandro will already, Friday, start training. Licha will start on Monday so I have it in my mind, and that there is a plan and the need for every player in the off-season.
"We know every player where they are fitness-wise and, next week, we have to bring everything together."
Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo are also still on their break as England reached the final of Euro 2024.
It is a case of undergoing a full day of testing for Bayindir, Dalot, Fernandes and Garnacho, as they look to build their fitness, with one eye on the Community Shield against Manchester City on 10 August (15:00 BST kick-off).
As always, club captain Bruno led by example, and was taking the times for the players in the drills, as they were put through their paces.
United's Preparations for the Season Ahead
As Manchester United prepare to face off against Liverpool in their last game of the pre-season tour of the USA, some of the club’s best stars are being put through their paces back at home.
Players who had extended runs in their international sides’ summer competitions arrived late back from holiday and it was decided that they would stay at United’s training facilities at Carrington.
Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Bruno Fernandez, Alejandro Garnacho and new signing Josh Zirkzee have all been working with Steve McClaren before he takes up his new post as head coach of the Jamaica national team.
United today posted a video of five of those seven stars in training.
Straight to work 🫡#MUFC pic.twitter.com/iFQgUlI7fX
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 3, 2024
What was noteworthy in the video was the absence of Martinez and Shaw from the lineup.
United fans will be forgiven for being concerned, given the pair’s horrific injury problems last season.
Martinez was injured in mid-September and made a brief comeback in January/February, playing just three games before being ruled out until the final seven minutes of the Premier Lague season against Newcastle United and 73 minutes of the FA Cup final.
Shaw’s story was a similar one; he played the first two games of the season before suffering a long layoff, then returned in November/December for a few weeks before getting injured again.
He then returned for four games in February before then being ruled out for the rest of the season.
The disastrous 2023/24 campaign can be put down to many things, but the extended absences of these two world-class defenders was undeniably a key factor.
Success or failure in 2024/25 could hinge on their availability and fitness.
Cover could be on its way for both, with Leny Yoro potentially being joined by Matthijs de Ligt as centre-back reinforcements and Noussair Mazraoui reportedly soon be added to the full-back roster.
Young Harry Amass has impressed in pre-season and could also step up.
Nonetheless, fans will surely breathe a huge sigh of relief when they see Luke and Licha back in training and walking out onto the Wembley turf to face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday.
Bruno Fernandes Returns to Carrington
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Returns have been staggered this pre-season because of the European Championship and Copa America taking place over the summer. Those who participated in either tournament were entitled to three weeks off.
Fernandes was joined in returning to the club's training complex by goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, Portuguese compatriot Diogo Dalot and winger Alejandro Garnacho. The quartet's return has been overseen by Steve McClaren, who will soon leave United to take over as Jamaica's new head coach.
Fernandes and Dalot helped Portugal reach the quarter-finals of the European Championship in Germany, exiting the competition at the hands of France via a penalty shootout. Fernandes started four of Portugal's five matches and Dalot two.
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Bayindir, who joined United from Fenerbahce last summer, struggled for opportunities at the tournament, starting just once for Turkey - in a 3-0 defeat to Portugal - as they enjoyed an impressive run to the quarter-finals.
Garnacho, meanwhile, helped Argentina clinch a second successive Copa America title as they beat Colombia 1-0 in the final. The 20-year-old featured in one match, starting their 2-0 win over Peru in their final group game.
Each of the quartet will now prepare for next weekend's Community Shield clash with Manchester City at Wembley, where United will be targeting another trophy at their neighbours' expense. United beat City 2-1 in the FA Cup final in May.
On Thursday, Ten Hag confirmed that Lisandro Martinez will return to Carrington on Monday. Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo are also expected to report back next week after helping England reach the European Championship final last month.
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