Which Man United players will be returning to pre-season in each group?

Manchester United players will be returning to pre-season training in two separate groups ahead of their upcoming US tour.

Erik ten Hag’s side have seven fixtures scheduled in order to prepare for the 2023/24 campaign and will shortly be phased back into training at Carrington before they jet off to play their first friendly against Leeds United in Oslo, Sweden on 12 July.

There has been an international break since the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, which means that United players will be returning to training in two different groups.

The club have confirmed that the non-internationals will be back in early July to prepare for the opening fixture against United’s historic rivals. That group could include both Anthony Martial and Antony, who suffered injury set-backs at the end of last season but are both hoping to return when training resumes.

Lisandro Martinez has also been making solid progress in his recovery from injury whilst Donny van de Beek returned to on-the-grass training late last season.

The likes of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams, David de Gea and Fred were not included in the respective international teams over the last week, so will be expected to be in the first group that returns to United training. However, De Gea’s future depends on the result of his ongoing contract saga.

They will also be joined by a host of young players who could join up with the squad on the tour. United’s fixture against Wrexham in the US is expected to be an opportunity for Ten Hag to utilise a young squad and assess various talents.

Meanwhile, the players who have been with their national teams in recent days will be given an extended break and will return to training roughly two weeks after the initial group, which also suggests that the opening friendly against Leeds will include various fringe and young players.

That second group is expected to include Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Anthony Elanga, Scott McTominay, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelöf and Facundo Pellistri. As well as returning loanees Eric Bailly and Alex Telles if they are still at the club by that point.

Although, last year we did see Garnacho return to action earlier despite being given an extended period of rest after international fixtures with Argentina U20s, so perhaps some of those players might return earlier.

United’s Premier League campaign kicks off against Wolves at Old Trafford on 14 August and Ten Hag will be hoping to start the season with a victory.