Man Utd pre-season tour: What squad hints about transfer plans

Updated: 9 Jul 2022 16:29 BST
3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Man Utd, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Manchester United have headed to Thailand on their pre-season tour without Cristiano Ronaldo, while Australia is next on the list.

The veteran attacker - who recently delivered the bombshell that he wants to move on to a side playing in the Champions League - will be staying behind owing to a ‘family issue’.

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But the global superstar is not the only one to have missed out on making the trip.

Phil Jones has remained behind and will follow a specialist pre-season programme, while Brandon Williams, who carries a minor issue, has also been left behind.

Undoubtedly Jones will be offered out to clubs this summer, likely in the Championship, while Williams - who was on loan at Norwich last season - could be loaned out again - even sold.

© ProShots - Phil Jones is still at Man Utd

Returning loanees James Garner, Axel Tuanzebe, Donny van de Beek, Amad and Facundo Pellistri have each been assigned squad numbers and have taken off on the tour.

Garner has been linked with another loan to Nottingham Forest, and Turkish club Trabzonspor are reportedly keen on Tuanzebe; meanwhile, there is a feeling that Van de Beek could be given a new lease of life under his former Ajax boss, Erik ten Hag.

Elsewhere, Amad has been linked with a return move to Rangers, and Pellistri appears to have hinted at another loan move.

Shola Shoretire and Alvaro Fernandez have garnered interest in loan moves, but no substantial offer has come in yet.

Man Utd will face Liverpool in Thailand on Tuesday, then Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in Australia as their pre-season fully gets underway.

Given the players who have gone on tour, it really could be that some of the young talent - Anthony Elanga, Alejandro Garnacho, and even the likes of Charlie Savage - could find themselves pushing for a place on the bench or even the first-team next season under this new regime.

Full squad on tour

Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Tom Heaton, Nathan Bishop, Matej Kovar

Defenders: Eric Bailly, Diogo Dalot, Ethan Laird, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Axel Tuanzebe, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Midfielders: Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, James Garner, Hannibal, Zidane Iqbal, Scott McTominay, Facundo Pellistri, Charlie Savage, Donny van de Beek

Forwards: Tahith Chong, Anthony Elanga, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho