Manchester United have been working hard at Carrington ahead of their opening Europa League fixture of the season against FC Twente.
Erik ten Hag knows he must find some improvement and fast. His efforts to do just that have been boosted by players returning from the treatment table. Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount returned for the Palace game and there is hope things are coming together behind the scenes at United.
The players trained at Carrington on Tuesday in the build-up to Wednesday’s 8pm kick-off at Old Trafford against Twente. Here are the things we spotted from the snaps.
Rashford all smiles
Marcus Rashford was in the headlines around the Palace game after being left on the bench by Ten Hag, despite scoring three goals in two matches prior. He cut a frustrated figure on the bench in south London and couldn’t impact the game after being brought on in the 61st minute.
Ten Hag rode to his defence after the game by rubbishing speculation started by Jamie Redknapp as to why he might have been dropped. We were told it was simply rotation and Rashford seemed happy when training on Tuesday – perhaps because he knows he’s back in the starting XI on Wednesday.
Malacia being eased back
Tyrell Malacia has become something of a forgotten man at United after missing the entirety of last season through injury. The Dutch left-back was given a warm welcome back to training last week and looks absolutely delighted to be back involved with the first team squad.
Malacia missed pre-season and has not played since May 2023, so United’s staff will be wary of rushing him back into competitive football. Luke Shaw is also still unavailable, with Ten Hag offering an update on Tuesday.
Asked whether he would be available before the next international break, which comes after United’s visit to Aston Villa on Sunday, October 6, Ten Hag said: “I think probably, but I’m not 100 per cent sure. The plan is just be back before but, as I say, I can’t say this 100 per cent. It can be shortly after the break.”
Bruno cops a slap
Bruno Fernandes is the leader of the pack at United. As club captain and with an ultra competitive mentality, he ensures that training is done at a high intensity. So while there were plenty of smiles at Carrington, there was also the right level of focus.
That was shown during a contest between Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho as they fought for the ball. Pictures show Fernandes trying to hold off the young winger before reacting by holding his face.
Hojlund raring to go
One of the positives from the Palace game was undoubtedly the return to fitness of Rasmus Hojlund, who made his first appearance of the season following a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season against Arsenal.
The Denmark international has been missed, with his absence forcing Joshua Zirkzee to shoulder the burden up front. Hojlund came on in the 76th minute at Selhurst Park and will be hoping to get another opportunity against Twente after training well on Tuesday.
Van Nistelrooy on the case
United are in a strange place at the moment. After scoring 57 goals in 38 games in 2023–24, they had a dismal attacking record in the Premier League, averaging just one goal per game. However, prior to the Palace game, they had scored 10 goals in a short period of time.
Clearly, the lack of cutting edge and clinical finishing inside the penalty area is a problem. And it is one which should be addressed by Ruud van Nistelrooy – the former United striker who was brought in by Ten Hag in the summer. Van Nistelrooy was a master goalscorer in his time and needs to whip Rashford, Hojlund, Zirkzee and co into shape – and fast.
