Four Manchester United[1] stars were absent from training on Thursday morning, just days before the Red Devils’ crunch Premier League[2] clash against rivals Liverpool[3].
Bruno Fernandes[4], Matheus Cunha, Amad Diallo[5] and Casemiro[6] were all missing from the main group session at Carrington, as manager Ruben Amorim[7] opted to give the quartet extra time off.
Sky Sports footage from the open section of training showed none of the four involved, though, according to reports the decision was precautionary rather than injury-related.
Amorim’s side are preparing for another big test as they seek back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this campaign.
The absences come at a crucial time for United, who returned to winning ways before the international break with a 2-0 win over Sunderland[8].
United are already expected to be without full-back Noussair Mazraoui for the clash at Anfield.
Bruno Fernandes was among the four Man United players to be given an extra day off after the international break
Casemiro and Matheus Cunha were part of the Brazil squad that travelled to the Far East to face South Korea and Japan
Ruben Amorim opted to give the quartet extra time off on Thursday ahead of the trip to Liverpool
The Morocco international has missed the club’s last two games with a minor issue and was also absent from his country’s World Cup qualifier against Congo on Monday.
Mazraoui’s recovery is believed to be progressing well but the Liverpool fixture may come too soon.
Lisandro Martinez was also not pictured in training, although there is optimism around his long-term recovery. The Argentine defender has stepped up rehabilitation following major knee surgery and is edging closer to a full return, though he remains unlikely to feature before the November international break.
The injury problems have prompted Amorim to call on several academy players to bolster his sessions, with youngsters Shea Lacey, Jim Thwaites and Jack Fletcher all involved on Thursday morning.
Ayden Heaven, however, did not take part after being withdrawn at half-time of England’s Under-20 defeat by Switzerland last Friday.
Victory on Sunday would mark United’s first sequence of consecutive league wins this season, a milestone that has repeatedly eluded them amid a stop-start campaign.
References
- ^ Manchester United (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Premier League (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Liverpool (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Bruno Fernandes (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Amad Diallo (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Casemiro (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Ruben Amorim (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Sunderland (www.dailymail.co.uk)