MANCHESTER UNITED returned to Old Trafford for an intra-squad friendly as Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford played their first games on the pitch in months.
The two stars, who have been fighting injuries, were on the same side as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer split his squad into two teams.
Bruno Fernandes and Nemanja Matic in action as Man Utd played an intra-squad friendly at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
David De Gea and Jesse Lingard also played in the game behind closed doorsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Pogba has not played at Old Trafford since Boxing Day after a series of ankle problems.
Rashford, who has helped raise a stunning £20million for schoolchildren during lockdown, last played at the ground on January 15 because of a back injury.
Harry Maguire lead the ‘home’ side – playing in red – with Bruno Fernandes part of the golden ‘away’ team.
United will next play at Old Trafford on June 24 against Sheffield United – their return to Premier League action comes on June 19 away to Tottenham Hotspur.
Boss Solskjaer is targeting a Europa League and FA Cup double when football returns.
Manchester United were on an 11-game unbeaten run before lockdown, putting heavy pressure on Chelsea in fourth, and have an FA Cup quarter-final against Norwich scheduled for June 27.
And after a 5-0 Europa League first-leg victory over Austrian side LASK, the Red Devils have one foot in the last eight in Europe.
He said: “If we do get a good spell now, we could end up with some trophies and something to cheer about.
“Of course, when you get to Man United, you want to end the season with trophies. We have to make sure we make this short spell before next season a good one for us — and if it ends up with trophies, fantastic.
“We’ve just got to focus on what we can control, and that’s our own performances. If that takes us to a final or two, it would be great.
“I’m focused on each game but also on developing this team.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will target a Europa League and FA Cup doubleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
United have benefited from the break as it has allowed injured trio Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Eric Bailly to recover.
But Solskjaer will still be making use of the Premier League’s new five-substitution and 25-man squad rules to ease the burden of their busy fixture schedule.
He continued: “We hope everybody is going to be ready for the first game.
“But I don’t think we can expect that those lads who’ve missed lots of football can last the full game.
“Now the rules have changed, we can use five subs and have nine on the bench.
“That’s helpful because footballers, after being out for so long, going into competitive games will be a challenge for them.
“We must look after them injury-wise and fitness-wise. It might be a period when we have to rotate quite often.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
