Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Amad were amongst the players absent from Manchester United’s full training session on Thursday. Ruben Amorim gave extra time off to those who had been away on international duty or had trained during the break.
The Manchester Evening News claim that certain players granted additional rest still turned up at Carrington. Nevertheless, they undertook light recovery sessions rather than taking part in full training. United are gearing up to take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Amorim clinched a vital 2-0 win over Sunderland prior to the international break and now has the chance to claim consecutive league victories for the first time since taking charge.
Noussair Mazraoui has been absent since September 20 owing to an undisclosed injury, though Amorim has hinted at his potential comeback following the break. Lisandro Martinez remains on the sidelines.
Martinez is nearing a return to full training, though his comeback to matchday squads is not expected imminently, with staff unwilling to take any chances.
Martinez’s knee gave way when he collapsed to the turf against Crystal Palace at the start of February, with subsequent confirmation that he had sustained a cruciate ligament injury.
Speaking to club media this week, Casemiro discussed Martinez’s rehabilitation and said: “Licha is on the final straight. He is a soldier who works so hard. He is always in the gym working hard.
“He works hard both on and off the pitch. He is a machine that works so hard. He is one those players who love to work hard. It is a pleasure to have him here. He works so much.
“We arrived at 9am, it’s now 4pm and he continues working. He has the experience to know when to work hard. I am so glad – not just me, everyone – because he is an essential player at the club.”