Kobbie Mainoo boost and Benni McCarthy chat in five things spotted in Manchester United training
All the very latest from Man United's Carrington training base ahead of Saturday's Premier League encounter with Sheffield United.
Manchester United will be looking to pick up where they left off prior to the international break when they face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday evening.
The Reds, who last faced the Blades in January 2021, signed off for the recent pause with a dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford. Scott McTominay climbed off the bench to score two stoppage-time goals and help United secure a vital three points.
Failure to have beaten the Londoners would have increased what was an already very negative mood around M16. United have made their worst start to a season in 37 years and have won just half of their opening eight Premier League games this season.
Furthermore, the trip to South Yorkshire will represent United with a golden opportunity to secure back-to-back league wins for the first time this season. The Blades are currently bottom of the table with just one point to their name.
United, though, can ill afford to take the Blades lightly, with the Premier League having a habit of springing unexpected surprises. Erik ten Hag will no doubt remind his players that they cannot afford to take Paul Heckingbottom's side lightly.
In a bid to ensure they are not the victims of a huge scalp, United's players and coaching staff have, of course, been putting the hard yards in on the Carrington training pitches, with almost all of the club's international contingent now returning to base. With that said, MEN Sport has picked out five things that we spotted from Thursday's training session.
Varane in the frame
After missing the win over Brentford with what sources described as a "minor issue", centre-back Raphael Varane (pictured in blue) is expected to return this weekend. The Frenchman, despite his injury issues, remains a valued member of the squad and is, when fighting fit, United's best defender. Being able to rely on him this weekend would be a huge plus. He trained on Thursday with the rest of the first-team squad, suggesting he is ready and raring to go. Sergio Reguilon was also spotted participating after missing the last four games due to illness and injury.
(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)1 of 5International stars return
A whole host of members of Ten Hag's squad jetted off to different corners of the globe over the international break, competing in European Championship qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers in South America and friendly encounters. Almost all of them were pictured back at Carrington on Thursday, including Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire (both pictured), as well as Andre Onana, Atlay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Hannibal Mejbri, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri and Rasmus Hojlund.
(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)2 of 5Mainoo edges closer
Could this weekend finally see the return of Kobbie Mainoo? Quite possibly. He was pictured in training prior to the international break and he trained alongside the rest of his teammates again on Thursday. He has been sidelined since July with an ankle injury. He was forced off in the pre-season friendly defeat to Real Madrid in Houston.
(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)3 of 5Youngsters feature
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As has been the case right throughout Ten Hag's premiership, first-team training featured several members of the club's youth ranks on Thursday. The likes of Ethan Williams, Sonny Aljofree, Willy Kambwala, Dan Gore, Shola Shoretire and Joe Hugill (pictured) were all spotted taking part. It is possible others may have participated, just out of shot of the cameras.
(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)4 of 5McCarthy's importance highlighted
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Several United players have made their love and feelings for first-team coach Benni McCarthy clear in various social media posts since he joined the club in July 2022. He is a very popular figure and it appeared as though Hannibal Mejbri, who played once for Tunisia during the international break, could not have been happier to have been reunited with the former Blackburn Rovers striker at Carrington on Thursday. They were pictured having a catch-up and each donning smiles.
(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)5 of 5
