Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Amad were among the players who missed Manchester United’s training session on Thursday. Ruben Amorim granted extra time off to players who were away on international duty or who were training during the holidays.
The Manchester Evening News claims that some players who were granted additional rest still turned up at Carrington. Despite this, they did not participate in any serious training, but rather took part in light recovery sessions. United are preparing to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Amorim secured an important 2-0 win against Sunderland before the international break, giving them the chance to win back-to-back league titles for the first time since taking over.
Nousser Mazraoui has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury since September 20, but Amorim has hinted that he could return after the break. Lisandro Martinez remains on the sideline.
Martinez is close to returning to full training, but the staff are unwilling to take any chances and a match-day return to the squad is not expected any time soon.
Martinez injured his knee when he fell to the grass against Crystal Palace in early February, and it was later confirmed that he had suffered a cruciate ligament injury.
Speaking to club media this week about Martinez’s rehabilitation, Casemiro said: “Lisha is on the final stretch. He is a very hard working soldier. He always works hard in the gym.
“He works hard on and off the pitch. He’s a very hard working machine. He’s one of those players who loves to work hard. It’s an honor to have him here. He works very hard.
“We arrived at 9am and now it’s 4pm, but he continues to work. He has the experience to know when to work hard. We’re all very happy, not just me, because he’s an essential player for the club.”
