Manchester United kick off their Europa League campaign tomorrow when they take on Spanish opposition Real Sociedad.
The squad took part in open training today ahead of tomorrow’s game in which Erik ten Hag is expected to rest many of his usual starters.
According to The Manchester Evening News, at today’s afternoon training session the most conspicuous absences were Donny van de Beek, Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw.
Ten Hag, in his press conference today ahead of tomorrow’s clash in Europe, confirmed that Martial is still sidelined with injury, but did not offer an explanation for the absences of Shaw and Van de Beek.
The club confirmed that Van de Beek, who has yet to achieve a consistent career in Ten Hag’s side, was injured before the Arsenal game. There has been no update since then on the Dutch international.
Manchester United confirm that Donny van de Beek is injured. [@samuelluckhurst] #MUFC
— MUFC Scoop (@MUFCScoop) September 4, 2022
Among those who trained, the surprise addition was Kobbie Mainoo, who played in the first team alongside Alejandro Garnacho, Zidane Iqbal and Charlie McNeill.
Mainoo, 17, won the FA Youth Cup last season with United, an achievement that has since earned him promotion to the Under-21 side.
The highly rated youngster signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils in May. He has been playing for the club since he was nine years old.
Whether the coach gives him a senior debut tomorrow remains to be seen, something he is in contention for according to MEN. It will do you a lot of good to be surrounded by high-level professionals.
Apart from Martial, Van de Beek and Shaw, no other senior player was missing, which will leave Ten Hag with plenty of options for the bench tomorrow.
The Manchester Evening News also reports that David de Gea will rest tomorrow, meaning new signing Martin Dubravka could start in goal against Sociedad.
Tomorrow’s game will provide a good opportunity for Ten Hag to give fringe players and youngsters a chance, while also giving others a well-deserved rest ahead of Crystal Palace at the weekend. Regardless of who starts, the expectation is that the team will start their European campaign on the right foot with three points.
