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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Elliott Jackson

Five things spotted in Manchester United training as Solskjaer gives advice to Eric Bailly

Manchester United return to Premier League action on Saturday night following the 9-0 thrashing of Southampton on Tuesday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side will be desperate to secure all three points against Everton, with Manchester City facing Liverpool at Anfield a day later.

As things stand, United are three points behind City having played a game extra, and will be hoping to take advantage of any potential points dropped by Pep Guardiola's side on Merseyside.

United won the reverse fixture against Everton 3-1 in November, a result which kick-started their revival after a dreadful start to the campaign. United have only lost one league game since that game at Goodison Park.

So, with Solskjaer putting the finishing touches to his team's preparations for Saturday's game, here are five things we spotted from a training session in the build-up to the trip to Merseyside.

Amad fits in

Amad continues to train with the United first team after being registered in their Europa League squad earlier this week.

The 18-year-old has seemingly adapted well to life in Manchester after a fantastic debut performance for the Under-23s against Liverpool and he was seen showing off his dynamic pace in a drill with Edinson Cavani.

The pair were seen jostling either side of a free-kick mannequin whilst trying to tag each other before Amad sprinted after Cavani in jest.

Amad will play for United's U23s in Friday's game against Blackburn.

Rigorous rondos

Everybody loves a rondo (Manchester United.)

United were at their best in midweek but the game against Everton will offer a tougher test at Old Trafford.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have Champions League ambitions of their own, sitting four points off fourth place with two games in hand on current incumbents Liverpool.

Everton have won seven of their 10 away matches in the league, losing only twice. The intensity was high in the rondos at Carrington as United's players prepare for a stiff test.

Alex Telles, Harry Maguire, Fred, Amad, Marcus Rashford and Eric Bailly were all involved as the players kept possession whilst under pressure from two United players trying to recover the ball.

Jovial spirit

It's not every day you win 9-0 and there were smiles all around in training.

From Amad and Cavani to jokes in the rondo, it's clear United players are enjoying their football at the moment, whilst also getting the job done on the field.

Five goalkeepers in training

Although Sergio Romero isn't registered for Premier League or Europa League action, the Argentine is still involved in first-team training.

He was seen going through his paces with David de Gea, Dean Henderson, Lee Grant and youngster Nathan Bishop, who was registered as United's fourth-choice goalkeeper for the Europa League earlier this week.

The Reds confirmed they will not be extending Romero's deal and were looking to offload the 33-year-old during the January transfer window but to no avail.

Solskjaer said: "Both of them (Marcos Rojo and Romero) have contracts until the summer and they're not going to be extended. So we're looking for them to find clubs."

Romero could still find a club in the Major League Soccer transfer window but otherwise, he will continue to train with no hope of first-team football until his contract expires.

Bailly's chat with Solskjaer

Solskjaer and Bailly in conversation (Manchester United.)

At the end of training, Bailly was pictured in conversation with Solskjaer.

Victor Lindelof has started United's last two league matches against Arsenal and Southampton, whilst Axel Tuanzebe deputised against Sheffield United with Bailly picking up a minor injury.

The Ivory Coast international last featured in United's 2-1 win over Fulham on January 20. He is a fitness doubt for the game against Everton.

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