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Manchester United are set to embark on their pre-season tour of the USA with a host of absentees. They include captain Bruno Fernandes, midfield sensation Kobbie Mainoo and full-back Luke Shaw, among others.
The group also includes new signing - striker Joshua Zirkjee - due to his involvement in Euro 2024 with the Netherlands. The other six absentees - as reported by GOAL - are Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri and Tyrell Malacia.
Among the group, Martinez and Garnacho were involved with Argentina in their 2024 Copa America triumph in Miami on Sunday (July 14). La Albiceleste beat Colombia 1-0 in extra time to defend their title, also becoming the first team to win 16 Copa titles.
The rest of the players except Malacia - who has been out injured for more than a year - were involved in international duty at Euro 2024. Among that group, Shaw went the deepest, with his England team losing 2-1 to Spain in the final.
United are coming off a rather dismal 2023-24 season, finishing eighth - their worst-ever finish to a Premier League campaign.
Manchester United boss explains absentees in pre-season squad
Manchester United boss will look to start off from where his team left off last season, beating Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final. Ahead of the Red Devils' pre-season tour of the USA, the Red Devils boss praised the quality of the available players.
However, Ten Hag noted that players involved in Copa America or UEFA Euro 2024 won't be involved during the tour, allowing them three weeks to recover from their international exploits. He said (as per GOAL):
"We have a strong first-team squad there with players that can present themselves to the fans, but especially to us. They have the levels to play in our team for next season. There will be a mix, with experienced players together with some young players. (The squad will be) as strong as possible, but, of course, the players who go far in the Copa America and the Euros will not be involved.
"Pre-season is about preparing for the season and we have to make that our next step. It is one of the only times when you have the team together, and you can work in training on structures, the way of play, but also on certain standards around the team and that’s very important to take this period and use it effectively."
Manchester United open their pre-season tour of the US against Premier League rivals Arsenal on July 27 in Los Angeles.
