Marcus Rashford trained with a smile on his face as Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt returned to first-team training ahead of Manchester United's final pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland.
Rashford has been named in the squad for the match against the Serie A giants and could feature for the first time in 18 months. The England international has been the subject of speculation about his future at Old Trafford, but looks set to be a United player next season.
Rashford reintegrated into the group
Speaking earlier this week, manager Michael Carrick said: "He's our player, he came back Sunday night, he arrived with Kobbie [Mainoo], and Lisandro [Martinez] came the day after, and he's part of the group like anybody else. He came in, he's trained really well."
Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona, netting 14 goals and notching 14 assists in 47 outings as the Catalan giants clinched La Liga. Barcelona chose not to exercise their £26million option to buy in their loan agreement with United, instead snapping up Rashford's England teammate Anthony Gordon in a £69million move.
Carrick added: "We're really calm, we just treat it like anybody else coming into the group and there's obviously this slight twist that he knows the club as well as anybody and that's a real positive."
Injury boosts for United
Carrick was given a major boost this week with Sesko and De Ligt back in training having missed a large chunk of pre-season with injury. Sesko has been struggling with a shin injury that kept him out of the latter end of the season, having been in fine form under Carrick prior to that blow, with seven goals in 13 games.
De Ligt had surgery on a back injury. Speaking after the operation in May, he said: "Since November I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football."
De Ligt and Sesko have not travelled to Poland for tomorrow's game and have instead returned to Carrington to continue their rehabilitation.
Youngsters impressing in pre-season
Carrick has given several youngsters opportunities to force their way into his plans this season, with Harry Amass, Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fletcher starting the pre-season draw with Leeds United. Daniel Armer, Toby Collyer, Tynan Thompson and Jack Fletcher were all second half substitutes and given minutes from the bench.
Fred Heath, Solomon Honour, Shea Lacey and JJ Gabriel were named as unused substitutes on the bench and the latter two youngsters have caused quite the stir. At just 15-years-old, Gabriel is the crown jewel in United's academy and could play in the Premier League this season. United aren't in a rush to throw Gabriel into the deep end, but his talent may be too difficult to ignore.
