Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot have been granted additional time off by Manchester United following the passing of Liverpool winger Diogo Jota.
Rúben Amorim’s squad reported back for pre-season training on Monday as Manchester United gear up for the 2025/26 campaign.
Following just under two weeks of preparations at Carrington, the team will head out on a pre-season tour that includes five fixtures. The first will be a trip to Sweden to take on familiar rivals Leeds United at the Strawberry Arena.
United will then travel to the United States for games against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton, before returning to Old Trafford for a final friendly against Fiorentina, who now have former United goalkeeper David de Gea among their ranks.
The Premier League have confirmed that United will kick off the new season with a marquee fixture against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, 17 August, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 BST.
Fernandes and Dalot granted additional time off
Last week, news broke that Liverpool winger Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva had passed away after a horrific car accident in Spain.
Jota was a Portugal teammate and close friend to both Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, and The Sun have reported that United have given both players an extra week of compassionate leave following the tragic news.
Both players attended Jota and Silva’s funeral on Saturday in their homeland and are not expected to report back to training on Monday with the rest of the squad.
The report adds that both players have been left heartbroken, and that United’s first-team squad have rallied around the pair during what will be a difficult time.
United have also offered both players additional psychological counselling sessions and emotional support.
Tributes pour in from United’s players
Following the news of Jota and Silva’s tragic passing, tributes from United’s players poured in on social media as the football world mourned the death of both players.
“Friend, colleague and companion in a thousand battles,” Fernandes posted on Instagram. “It is difficult to understand how it is possible for someone to leave so soon.
“May you and your brother find the peace you need to look after those you lost so soon and suddenly. My condolences to your entire family.”
Dalot wrote: “Devastating… speechless… much strength to the family.” Harry Maguire said: “So sad. RIP. Heartbreaking.”
Mason Mount said: “Absolutely devastating news. Rest in peace Diogo and Andre. Deepest condolences and thoughts are with the family.”
Amad said: “My sincere condolences to Jota’s Family and his Wife. We are all devastated by this news. May their souls rest in peace.” Joshua Zirkzee said: “Unbelievable news… rest in perfect paradise, prayers to your loved ones.”
Former United striker and club legend Cristiano Ronaldo also posted his own tribute, saying: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married.
“To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”
All of us at UtdDistrict send our condolences to Diogo and Andre’s families.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.