Manchester United will be without at least five first-team players when pre-season training resumes on Thursday, as several stars remain on World Cup duty. Michael Carrick, who has been appointed permanent manager on a two-year contract with an option for a further 12 months, will oversee his first pre-season campaign at the helm.
World Cup Absentees
England internationals Marcus Rashford, 28, and Kobbie Mainoo are among those unavailable as England prepare to face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. Lisandro Martinez is also absent after representing Argentina in his second successive World Cup. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens has been understudy to Thibaut Courtois for Belgium, who reached the quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over the United States. Noussair Mazraoui has been outstanding for Morocco, who face France on Thursday.
Eliminated Players' Return Unclear
It remains unclear whether United players eliminated in earlier rounds will report to Carrington. Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot saw their World Cup end on Monday as Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the round of 16, with Mikel Merino scoring a stoppage-time winner. Altay Bayindir's Turkey failed to escape the group stage, while Tyler Fletcher's Scotland also exited early. Amad reached the knockout rounds with Ivory Coast and scored in a 2-1 loss to Norway. Matheus Cunha's Brazil were beaten 2-1 by Norway, with Erling Haaland scoring twice to take his tournament tally to seven. Manuel Ugarte's Uruguay were eliminated at the group stage, and the midfielder suffered an ACL injury against Spain that is expected to sideline him for several months.
Available Players
Carrick is expected to have Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, and Harry Maguire available after they were omitted from Thomas Tuchel's England squad. Maguire, 33, expressed his disappointment on Instagram, writing: "I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I've had. I've been left shocked and gutted by the decision." Maguire has enjoyed a resurgence under Carrick since January and signed a new contract in April, securing his place at Old Trafford for another season.
Pre-Season Fixtures
United's opening pre-season friendly is against Wrexham on Saturday, July 18. They will also face Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan before beginning their Premier League campaign away to Hull City on Saturday, August 22.
