After a five-week break to get over the disappointment of the Europa League final defeat, Manchester United were back in training at their Carrington base as they prepare for the new campaign.
With Euro 2020 finishing in mid July, a number of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first-team players have yet to return, with the club giving each player three weeks off from their last game which means it is unlikely the likes of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw will be involved until the final pre-season fixture against Everton.
Last season Solskjaer lamented a lack of pre-season, with United only managing to squeeze in one friendly against Aston Villa, and blamed their poor start to the season on it. This year they have managed to organise five friendlies. The uncertainty of travel plans due to the pandemic means that all the fixtures are being played in the UK where the team will also have a week-long training camp.
With so many first-team players still away it gives plenty of youngsters the opportunity to try and impress Solskjaer and his staff.
Goal brings you everything you need to know about Manchester United's plans for pre-season and who will be involved.
Man Utd pre-season fixtures & results
| Date | Fixture | Kick-off time (UK) | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18 | Derby 1-2 Man Utd | 1pm | MUTV |
| Jul 24 | QPR 4-2 Man Utd | 3pm | MUTV |
| Jul 28 | Man Utd 2-2 Brentford | 8pm | MUTV |
| Jul 31 | Preston North End vs Man Utd (cancelled) | 2pm | MUTV |
| Aug 7 | Man Utd vs Everton | 5pm | MUTV |
United started their pre-season games with a 2-1 win away to Derby on July 18.
The Red Devils then had a trip down south to face Queen's Park Rangers on July 24, which they lost 4-2. Solskjaer's side played out a 2-2 draw with Brentford at Old Trafford on July 28, in a game where Andreas Pereira conjured a wondergoal.
A planned friendly game against Preston North End was cancelled due to an apparent Covid-19 case in the camp, though United subsequently revealed there was no positive case, so the Red Devils wrap things up against Everton.
Games can be streamed live exclusively on Manchester United's in-house television channel MUTV .
Which players are involved in Man Utd's pre-season?
With a number of United's first teamers involved in this summer's European Championship they have been given additional time off so the likes of Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire will not be expected back at the club's training ground for another couple of weeks.
It means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a very young training squad with a number of Under-23s players involved and hoping to get a bit of first team action.
Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic bring the experience but on the whole it's a very young squad.
Those who have been training are Tom Heaton, Nathan Bishop, Matej Kovar, Lee Grant, Teden Mengi, Di'Shon Bernard, Will Fish, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Alex Telles, Brandon Williams, Dylan Levitt, Andreas Pereira, James Garner, Nemanja Matic, Facundo Pellistri, Ethan Galbraith, Lingard, Mata, Anthony Elanga, Shola Shoretire, Hannibal Mejbri, Joe Hugill, Tahith Chong and Mason Greenwood.
Amad Diallo and Eric Bailly were permitted to play in the Olympics for Ivory Coast, with Solskjaer allowing the pair to treat the competition as their own pre-season.
Will Man Utd's new transfer signings be involved?
Heaton has re-joined the club after he left 11 years ago and has been involved. When the rest of the squad are back he will be third choice behind David de Gea and Dean Henderson, but, while they are still away the 35-year-old gets another chance to play.
Jadon Sancho has completed his £73 million ($101m) move from Borussia Dortmund, but, since he was involved at Euro 2020, the England international is not likely to be involved until closer to the season kick off.
The club have also completed a £41 million ($47m) deal for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane. However, like Sancho, the France centre-back is only likely to feature closer to the start of the season.
When does Man Utd's season start?
Manchester United get their new campaign under way at home to Leeds United on Saturday, August 14 followed by an away trip to Southampton the following weekend.
See Manchester United's Premier League 2021-22 fixtures in full