MANCHESTER UNITED stars jokingly hit Ruben Amorim as he ran through a birthday gauntlet before training started today.
The Portuguese manager held his back at the end of the player-made tunnel as the squad honoured his 40th birthday.
Amorim’s celebrated his milestone age with wife Maria Joao Diogo in Manchester on Monday after United’s 1-0 win over Fulham.
And the celebrations continued at Carrington in front of cameras on Wednesday morning.
Amorim could be seen jokingly pulling and shoving fellow birthday boy Darren Fletcher before sprinting through a corridor of players.
The pair decided to run through the gauntlet together as the squad stood eagerly waiting to give them a wallop as they passed.
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Fletcher, who turns 41 on Saturday, emerged first, before Amorim gestured as if he was holding his back from pain.
Club-captain Bruno Fernandes and Chelsea-linked Alejandro Garnacho stood at the start of the tunnel and could be slapping their hands in.
And fans joked that outcasts Marcus Rashford and Casemiro might have been tempted to give Amorim a firmer whack.
Rashford, whose training application has been questioned by Amorim, could be seen getting involved at the end of gauntlet.
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Amorim joked that he already feels 10 years older after Lisandro Martinez’ deflected strike earned his side a late win at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
He said: “It’s not 40…I’m 50! After two months at Manchester United, it’s 50. It’s a privilege to spend my 40th birthday here.
“It will be fantastic because we won. Then I will have dinner with my kids.”
Rashford was pictured laughing with his team-mates during the rest of the session after Amorim’s latest brutal post-match comments.
The former Sporting gaffer took a swipe at the home-grown England international by declaring that he’d rather pick his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital over a player who underperforms in training.
Meanwhile, the gauntlet has become something of a tradition this season.
Amorim brought it in to celebrate players returning to training from injury, including the likes of Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro.
Athletic journalist Laurie Whitwell said it is a positive sign for the squad.
He told MUTV: “It’s what you want from a group like this. A football season is very long and you spend a lot of time together.
“At some moments of the season, you see them more than your own family and that is certainly the case when you are working long hours at Carrington.
“If you can establish those relationships and those links, in the hard moments during the season, you can push each other.
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“You can demand more, so I think he is looking forward to getting to know his players more.”
The Red Devils travel to face Romanian outfit FCSB for their final league phase match in the Europa League on Thursday.
MAN UTD PLAYER RATINGS: Maguire puts in superb defensive display but Garnacho caught running into blind alleys
MANCHESTER UNITED secured a hard-fought three points against Fulham.
Lisandro Martinez’s deflected strike proved to be the difference in what was the Red Devils’ only shot on target all game.
Harry Maguire impressed but Alejandro Garnacho once again failed to impress in what could have been his Man Utd farewell amid rumours linking him with Napoli and Chelsea.
Here is how SunSport rated the individual performances.
Andre Onana – 7
Good save low down to his left to keep out an Alex Iwobi shot early doors.
Other than that he was barely tested but no glaring errors mean it is a step in the right direction for the Red Devils No1.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Had a difficult time in the first half up against Iwobi who was Fulham’s main attacking threat.
Switched to the left flank in the second half and supported Garnacho without posing much of a threat.
Matthijs de Ligt – 8
Another strong showing at the back from the Dutchman. Without his support for Dalot, Fulham may have created a goal down United’s right-hand side.
Harry Maguire – 9
A superb defensive display from the England star who has been one of United’s best players since Amorim took charge.
Pulled off a brilliant header at the back post to deny Rodrigo Muniz a certain goal.
Lisandro Martinez – 8
Superb last-ditch tackle to prevent Emile Smith Rowe from shooting as he burst through on goal.
His goal had a big slice of luck as it was deflected past Bernd Leno but credit to him for having the audacity to shoot.
Noussair Mazraoui – 7
Solid at the back and tried to get forward when he could. United looked more balance with him on the left and Dalot on the right, although the pair swapped at half-time.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Showed some nice touches and was a bit of a menace in the middle – in a positive and negative sense. Kept a close eye on Smith Rowe and allowed him no time on the ball.
Booked for a foul on Adama Traore and was taken off shortly afterwards with an injury.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Not at his best. Barely saw the ball in the first half and was not very effective when he did get it.
Amad Diallo – 6
Looked bright on the ball and United’s only real outlet going forward.
He worked tirelessly and pressed really well – his hard work paid off when he found the back of the net in stoppage time but his effort was chalked off.
Alejandro Garnacho – 3
Was cautious on the ball and ran into blind alleys too often. Final ball let him down on the rare occasion he did manage to beat a defender.
Rasmus Hojlund – 4
His hold up play is nowhere near good enough for this system or for a club like United.
He was too gung-ho at times and his erratic nature meant linking up with Amad and Garnacho proved difficult.
Hauled off before the hour mark which says it all about his performance.
Subs:
Leny Yoro (for De Ligt, 58mins) – 6
A more assured display given his shaky start to life in the Premier League.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 58mins) – 5
Like Hojlund he had a difficult time holding the ball up but United improved with him on the pitch.
Toby Collyer (for Ugarte, 76mins ) – 6
Solid display again from the youngster who was often in the right position to clear, including one on the line to stop a Joachim Andersen header from going in.
Kobbie Mainoo (for Garnacho, 80mins) – 6
Provided energy in midfield and shored things up alongside Collyer.
A brilliant one-two with Amad set up the winger to score before VAR ruled Amad offside.
Tyrell Malacia (for Mazraoui, 80mins) – 6
Brought on in an unfamiliar right wing-back role but did what was needed to see out the clean sheet.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
