Man Utd make major change to pre-season tour after Kobbie Mainoo injury and Christian Eriksen complaints
MANCHESTER UNITED have tweaked their pre-season tour squad after Kobbie Mainoo suffered an ankle injury in America last year.
United will be returning to the United States this summer to play Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Betis in preparation for the 2024/25 campaign.
As such, United have recognised the importance of giving players more rest by reducing the amount of travelling this summer.
It was no secret that the Red Devils suffered from an unfathomable amount of key injuries last term as they finished eighth in the Prem.
United are spending two fewer nights away and will play a total of six pre-season games, compared to eight last summer.
This includes the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 10, as well as travelling 1,622 fewer air miles.
Christian Eriksen appeared to voice the frustration of many players during last year’s pre-season United States tour.
The Denmark midfielder said: “There’s been a lot of games and too much travelling, to be honest.”
United’s game in Houston, where they lost 2-0 to Real Madrid at the NRG Stadium, involved a 2,626-mile, whistle-stop round trip from their base in San Diego.
Mainoo would suffer an ankle injury in that game which ruled the midfielder out for four months until late November.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Man Utd pre-season tour squad in full
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Demot Mee, Andre Onana, Radek Vitek.
Defenders: Harry Amass, Rhys Bennett, Jonny Evans,Will Fish, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Sam Murray, Aaron Wan-Bissaka,Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Hannibal, Jack Fletcher, Sam Mather, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, Maxi Oyedele, James Scanlon.
Forwards: Antony, Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Ethan Wheatley.
Reported injured: Tyrell Malacia
Left out: Joshua Zirkzee, Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Pellistri and Luke Shaw.
This was deemed a step too far among fans, after the players seemed overworked and exhausted come the start of the Premier League campaign.
This time round Erik ten Hag has vowed to better prioritise recovery.
United will do all their training at the University of California campus in Los Angeles, where they are due to play Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium on Saturday.
Ten of United’s senior squad will also miss the tour entirely after their exploits at Euro 2024 and the Copa America.
Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho, who won the Copa with Argentina in the US, are enjoying time with their families.
Mainoo and Luke Shaw, who were part of the England team beaten by Spain in the Euro final, are also entitled to three weeks’ mandatory holiday.
The same also applies to new signing Joshua Zirkzee, who was part of the Netherlands squad beaten by England in the Euro semi-finals.
And winger Facundo Pellistri, who was in the Uruguay side that lost to Colombia in the last four of the Copa.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils lost their first pre-season game in Norway after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Rosenborg, but beat Rangers 2-0 last weekened.
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.