Erik ten Hag reveals when Marcus Rashford & 16 other Man Utd players will return to pre-season training

Erik ten Hag has confirmed when up to 17 Manchester United players will return to pre-season training ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The Red Devils played their first match of the summer when they beat Leeds United 2-0 in Norway on Wednesday, with Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill netting in the second half as a youthful side overpowered Leeds. Ten Hag made 11 changes at the break and the first-half side featured some more household names such as Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Jadon Sancho, while Mason Mount also played his first game for the club.

But the majority of United’s senior players have not yet returned to the club, with those involved in June’s international fixtures given extra time off. That contingent includes: Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Casmiro, Fred, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Facundo Pellistri, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Elanga and Marcus Rashford.

Eric Baily and Alex Telles, who spent last season on loan away from the club, could also be in line for a return. Speaking to MUTV after the win over Leeds, Ten Hag revealed he is expecting those senior professionals to return to training on Saturday, but said they are unlikely to be play a part in next week’s pre-season friendly against Lyon at Murrayfield.

“It’s very vital [the players are back], but those players, most of those won’t show up in Edinburgh as well. They need time to have a training week,” he said. 

“They had time off, relaxation, those players played the most games last season and they needed that rest. Then we need to bring them back but you have to do it carefully - you can’t go from zero to 100. One of the things at the end of last season, we didn’t have always our best starting XI, so that is what you want to achieve.”

Asked for his verdict on Wednesday’s match, Ten Hag responded: “I think we have seen some good things, some good stuff. We already trained over the last year and we have a good foundation, you can see that in the game. But also some young lads come in and fitted. We are now one week training and we set the rules and the principles. We have seen some good stuff.”