Yoro, Maguire, Højlund: Manchester United early team news ahead of Rangers pre-season friendly

Erik ten Hag will have an increasing number of players to select as Manchester United face Rangers in the second of five pre-season fixtures.

While Manchester United‘s pre-season tour did not start perfectly, following a 1-0 loss against Rosenborg, the scoreline was a secondary objective as multiple first-team players got match-fitness minutes under their belts.

Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Casemiro, and others all played 45 minutes under Erik ten Hag as the club prepares to face Rangers in Scotland on Saturday afternoon.

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After the Rangers game, the squad will fly to the USA to face Arsenal, Real Betis, and Liverpool, with the club then playing Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday, 10 August.

Who could return?

Up to five first-team members could return for the Rangers tie as Ten Hag looks to maximise his players’ minutes over the next three weeks.

Jadon Sancho, André Onana, Amad Diallo, Antony, and Victor Lindelöf all stayed at Carrington to continue individual fitness programmes while the others flew to Norway, but there are no injury problems among these players.

Minutes for Sancho may be particularly important as the player has not kicked a ball with his United teammates in almost a year.

Scott McTominay returned to training on Wednesday morning after his exit from the 2024 European Championships with Scotland at the end of June.

Who is unavailable?

In terms of unavailable players, United have two injury concerns. Harry Maguire was recently pictured doing individual work following an injury that kept him out of the FA Cup final and 2024 European Championships. He is not expected to be available to face Rangers.

Tyrell Malacia, who had not played since June 2023, is also on his own rehabilitation and fitness programme following multiple knee problems.

Beyond this, nine other first-team players are currently on holiday following their international commitments: Alejandro Garnacho, Lisandro Martínez, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Facundo Pellistri, Rasmus Højlund, and Christian Eriksen.

The latter two are expected back next week before the club flies to the USA.

What about the new signings?

United announced the signing of Joshua Zirkzee last week, but following the Netherlands’ competition in Euro 2024, he will not travel with the squad to the USA.

Although this has yet to be confirmed, there is a chance that Zirkzee will join the team in the USA for the final of their three games against Liverpool in South Carolina.

United’s other signing, Leny Yoro from Lille, has not officially become a Manchester United player yet, but the deal will be completed in the next few days. Having already had a holiday after the end of the Ligue 1 season, Yoro will be available to fly to the USA but will not be part of the travelling squad that faces Rangers.

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