Manchester United's pre-season tour finally felt like a typical summer for the club as they arrived in Gothenburg to a crowd of around 100 supporters outside their hotel, a first for this summer's low-key trips to Helsinki, Trondheim, and Stockholm.
The buzz was fueled by the return of World Cup stars, the debut of Youri Tielemans, and the novelty of visiting Gothenburg for the first time in a decade. Tielemans, who captained Belgium at the World Cup, is seen as the biggest signing of the window so far, despite Andrey Santos costing more.
Bruno Fernandes Steals the Show
Bruno Fernandes remains the squad's biggest star, and his return was met with glee. Supporters chanted his name, and he spent the longest time signing autographs and taking selfies before being ushered inside by security.
The stay in Gothenburg was brief—about 30 hours—before heading to Dublin. The Ullevi Stadium hosted the biggest crowd of United's pre-season, with most fans supporting Michael Carrick's side, though Kvicha Kvaratskhelia was also a notable presence.
Mason Mount Injury Update
Mason Mount went off injured in the first half, but Carrick downplayed fears, and Mount walked through the mixed zone with a smile, saying "all good" when asked how he was. Mount has been a pre-season star, but fitness concerns linger after a tough couple of years.
The squad flew to Dublin on Saturday evening and checked into Carton House, a familiar base from April's training camp. They will stay for five nights, training at the facilities before a sold-out friendly against Leeds at Croke Park on Wednesday.
Looking Ahead to Dublin and Beyond
A larger media contingent is expected in County Kildare, with attention likely on Marcus Rashford when he returns to training. Carrick will speak to external media for the first time this week and is expected to handle questions on Rashford delicately, given their long-standing relationship.
This marks the final week of pre-season, with a game against AC Milan in Wroclaw on Friday before the Premier League season begins.
