Five key things spotted in Manchester United training - and two absences - ahead of Manchester City derby

We’ve had a look through the latest video and made a few interesting observations.
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Manchester United’s latest training video gave two major indications as to which players could be involved in Sunday’s Manchester derby.

The Red Devils travel to the Etihad for a 4.30pm kick-off, and with eight days between their last game against Watford and the clash with Manchester City, there has been plenty of time to prepare on the training ground.

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In fact, the club released a snippet of their preparations on Thursday, when they posted a video from the previous day’s session on their website.

We’ve had a look through it and picked out five interesting observations.

Alex Telles, Jesse Lingard and Cristiano Ronaldo take part in the latest session. Credit: Getty. Alex Telles, Jesse Lingard and Cristiano Ronaldo take part in the latest session. Credit: Getty.
Alex Telles, Jesse Lingard and Cristiano Ronaldo take part in the latest session. Credit: Getty.

Who wasn’t spotted?

It was an almost full United squad involved in Wednesday’s session, with the only two senior players not spotted being Edinson Cavani and Hannibal.

The former hasn’t played since early February due to a groin issue, and his lack of involvement suggests he won’t be back in time for this weekend.

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As for Hannibal, his absence is not a surprise given he played in the club’s Under-19s fixture against Borussia Dortmund the day before.

United’s three senior goalkeepers also weren’t seen in the four-minute video, but they were almost certainly involved in a separate session off-camera.

McTominay’s full involvement

Scott McTominay had been pictured on Wednesday in the latest training images, but the video provided more clarity on his fitness.

The 25-year-old was involved in the full-contact session and seems to be fully fit ahead of the derby.

Scott McTominay was pictured in the background behind Phil Jones. Credit: Getty.Scott McTominay was pictured in the background behind Phil Jones. Credit: Getty.
Scott McTominay was pictured in the background behind Phil Jones. Credit: Getty.
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McTominay has been a mainstay in the team since Ralf Rangnick took over in December and has missed just four matches so far under the German.

Defenders among the goals

The bulk of United’s training video was taken up by an attack vs defence drill, where sides went immediately from attempting to score, to then trying to stop an opposition attack.

There were plenty of shots on goal throughout the short footage, and it wasn’t just the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba smashing the ball past the goalkeepers.

The defenders also got involved, with Diogo Dalot, Alex Telles, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones finding the back of the net.

Elanga & Sancho looking sharp

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In such an attack-minded session, United’s dribblers and most skillful players were always going to thrive.

Two stars who stood out were perhaps the club’s most in-form duo: Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga.

Both players showed some quick feet and rapid turn of pace. Elanga’s double step-over caused Victor Lindelof issues early on, while he smashed an effort off the crossbar a little later.

Sancho also showed some impressive finishing and seemed to play more from the right in the small-sided game.

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It was also notable how fast-paced the drill was, and perhaps gives an indication that Rangnick was looking to work on quick attacks and progressions.

Bruno Fernandes scored with the outside of his foot during the session. Credit: Getty.Bruno Fernandes scored with the outside of his foot during the session. Credit: Getty.
Bruno Fernandes scored with the outside of his foot during the session. Credit: Getty.

Feranandes’s moment of skill

Bruno Fernandes was heavily involved in the video and produced perhaps the best moment of skill.

The Portugal international beat Lee Grant with a sublime finish using the outside of his right, giving the former Stoke City keeper no chance as he slotted it into the bottom corner.