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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Liam Wood

Four things spotted in Manchester United training ahead of Roma Europa League fixture

Preparations for Manchester United's upcoming Europa League challenge are in full swing at Carrington.

With a place in next month's Gdansk showpiece at stake, all eyes will be on Old Trafford tomorrow night (8pm) as Serie A opponents Roma head into town.

Familiar faces such as Chris Smalling, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and ex- Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko are standing in the way of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's side as they target a first trophy under the Norwegian.

However, despite falling at the last-four hurdle previously in other competitions, United remain favourites to claim the supplementary European crown that they last won in 2017 - during the Jose Mourinho era.

While there are several men standing from that victory in Sweden, this represents a chance for a fresh guard to get their hands on some much-desired silverware.

Here are four things we spotted from United's latest training session at their Carrington base;

How to stop Greenwood?

Having burst on to the scene at Old Trafford last season, things have been a little tougher, on and off the field, for the academy graduate this term.

However, having seemingly put those troubles behind him, the Mason Greenwood we all know and love has re-emerged over the last few weeks - much to the joy of Solskjaer and supporters.

With five goals coming in his last seven appearances all-told, the 19-year-old is in razor sharp form as United dream of booking their flight to Poland next month.

Indeed, their Italians opponents will be thinking; how do you stop Greenwood?

Man mark him with Scott McTominay, of course. It's a luxury that Roma don't have, but if the expression of both of these players' faces is anything to go by, it looks as though McTominay enjoyed the better of their battle in training.

Game face, on!

Although the United players were pictured during a few more light-hearted moments, they very much have 'game faces' on ahead of the first leg clash against Roma.

Having watched neighbours City coast to a third Premier League title in four years, a quarter-final elimination from the FA Cup means United can now only get their hands on silverware in Europe.

As they look to forge an advantage ahead of the return leg, it's perhaps their biggest game of the season so far.

Hopefully, that tag will be superseded by United qualifying for the Gdansk Stadium showpiece on May 26, but until they do that, it's strictly business for Solskjaer's focused squad.

Solskjaer puts trust in youth

The next generation of Old Trafford stars have continued their respective journeys during this Europa League push.

Indeed, the competition has seen the likes of Shola Shoretire (17), Amad (18) and Axel Tuanzebe (23) feature - while Anthony Elanga and Ethan Galbraith (both 19) are among those to have been included on the United bench.

Shoretire was spotted playing a particularly big part in training at Carrington as the players worked on their finishing during a small goal shooting drill.

He may not be handed a first senior start in such a season-defining game, but the experience he can gain from being around the semi-final squad will stand him, and United, in good stead for the future.

Now you see me... Luke Shaw hides behind a mannequin! (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Shaw blending in...

The form of Luke Shaw has been one of the highlights of the 2020/2021 campaign.

It's taken a long while for United to see the best of a man who they paid £30million to Southampton for while he was still a teenager back in 2014.

Some of that was down to injury set-backs, while public criticism from Mourinho probably didn't help, either.

Those strugglers are consigned to the past now, though, as the England full-back has emerged as one of United's most important players - with Shaw even earning an international recall this year ahead of the delayed Euro 2020 championship this summer.

Despite being a constant feature in the Premier League, he's rarely appeared during this ongoing European charge, with Alex Telles handed the left-back shirt more often on the continent.

However, despite the above picture suggesting otherwise, Shaw will not go hiding - he will be ready if called upon against the Italians tomorrow night.

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