- Manchester United commenced their pre-season training in America without a complete squad
- Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho could not help matter after Alexis Sanchez was denied an entry visa
- Paul Pogba and other squad members that were on duty at the just concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia are on extended vacation
Premier League side Manchester United commenced their pre-season training in America without a complete squad as Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho put his players to work.
According to the UK Sun report, the Red Devils made the 5,200-mile trip to California after the World Cup final showdown on Sunday.
Already, the squad members are getting used to their new environment at University of California, Los Angeles campus located at the West Coast sunshine.
Manchester United Luke Shaw gets into action on gym equipment as United's pre-season campaign get underway in California. Photo Credit: Getty Images
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The quartets of Luke Shaw, Andreas Pereira, Antonio Valencia, Anthony Martial as well as Chris Smalling were all on parade during the basic warm-up exercises to loosen the muscles after the long hour flight.
Interestingly, Red Devils boss Mourinho fancies the idea of taking his squad members to UCLA which parades world class sporting facilities and an ideal weather condition that also serves as a prime workout destination for Hollywood celebrities.
Manchester United's Anthony Martial heads out for pre-season training at UCLA. Photo Credit: Getty Images
However, Manchester United players are fine-tuning strategies’ ahead of their pre-season fixtures against Club America, San Jose Earthquakes, AC Milan, Liverpool and Real Madrid planned expected to kick-off on Friday.
Interestingly, Mourinho could not help matter after Red Devils’ star Alexis Sanchez was embarrassingly denied an entry visa to the United States.
Manchester United Ander Herrera, Demetri Mitchell and Chris Smalling during warm-ups. Photo Credit: Getty Images
The report added that the 29-year-old Chilean was found guilty of defrauding the Spanish authorities in February during his spell at La Liga champions Barcelona.
In addition, French star Paul Pogba is still on extended vacation in Paris after helping France win the just concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Also, other Red Devils’ players that were on parade at the Mundial that include Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Romelu Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini, Victor Lindelof and David De Gea have all been granted 21-days off by Mourinho.
Jose Mourinho looks on as Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata get into their drills. Photo Credit; Getty Images
On the other hand, new arrivals Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant are in the squad in America, while Brazil’s Fred is having some time off after sitting on the bench for the South Americans in Russia.
"I’m excited, obviously, and then anxious to get everything over the line and eager to get started. That’s been the case throughout the off-season – I was really eager to get here and get started.
"It’s been a fantastic journey to get me here and I’m certainly looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to a nice pre-season, we’ve got our first training session at UCLA so it should be fun,” the 35-year-old ex-Stoke keeper told MUTV.
Speaking further, Grant revealed that former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher also sat him down for a chat about the set-up of the team.
"Fletch has been great.
"I managed to grab some lunch with him a week or so before I joined up with the boys and he gave me a little rundown on the club, who to avoid speaking to and who to cosy up to!
Defender Chris Smalling hops over the mini hurdles during warm up during training. Photo Credit: Getty Images
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"In all seriousness he’s been great, he told me what a fantastic football club it is and he was certain I was going to enjoy my time here,” Grant submitted.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously had reported that Manchester United's Alexis Sanchez has been denied visa to gain entry into the United States and join the Red Devils for their preseason tour.
The 29-year-old joined the Red Devils from Arsenal during the winter transfer season - a deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to the Emirates Stadium in January.
However, the Chilean forward was handed a 16-month suspended jail sentence in February for evading tax while he was a Barcelona player in Spain.
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Source: Naija.ng