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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Elliott Jackson

Four things spotted in Manchester United training as Anthony Martial return excites Paul Pogba

Manchester United stepped up their preparations for a trip to Rome as they bid to officially confirm their place in the Europa League final.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side have a firm grip on the semi-final tie after a 6-2 comeback victory at Old Trafford last Thursday and will hope to complete the job in Italy.

After Sunday's match against Liverpool was postponed due to mass fan protests, the extra rest has ensured United are fully prepared to reach a first major final under Solskjaer.

Ahead of the match, a segment from United's latest training session was released and the MEN picked out some of the best highlights.

Pogba welcomes back Martial

Paul Pogba welcome Anthony Martial back to training. (BeanymanSports)

Anthony Martial returning to isolated training this week and Paul Pogba gave his fellow Frenchman a warm welcome as he trained alone behind the rest of the group.

Pogba was heard shouting: "Martial is back!" whilst clapping and cheering in the direction of his teammate.

Solskjaer confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Martial was back on the grass and remained hopeful he would play again this season.

“Anthony's looking good," Solskjaer told club media. "He has just about started outside jogging, which is the first step on the rehab of course.

“He's done most of the work in the gym and to see him out there getting some fresh air is good and hopefully we will see him before the season is out. He's supporting the team, he wants to be a part of the final and he's working hard to be available before that.”

Solskjaer drives training standards

Throughout the video, there was one clear message from Solskjaer when the tempo of the session naturally dipped.

"Put some pride into it," the United boss constantly shouted at his players whenever there was a sloppy touch or a loss of concentration.

The response would be an immediate return to the high standards Solskjaer has set at the club, which has been evident during his tenure.

Elanga holds his own

United youngster Anthony Elanga was included in the travelling squad to Rome, with Martial and Daniel James missing due to injury, and he once again looked sharp in training.

Elanga is yet to make his first-team debut but was on the bench for both quarter-final legs against Granada.

Solskjaer explained how impressed he has been with the young forward after he was included in the matchday squad against Real Sociedad last month: "Anthony will be in the squad, he'll be on the bench. He has impressed when he has been in training with us.

"He was very unlucky two or three months back when he got a bad injury and he's worked really hard to come back, because he was just due to move into the first-team squad back then.

"He's got an X factor, some attributes, it's not like a gift, but he's got the acceleration, pace, speed, that's a given for wingers and he's got qualities I like.

"He's a goalscoring winger, he's confident, he likes to beat men, right foot, left foot, he's got a great attitude. His appetite and hunger to improve and when he's been training with us the while he's been here now he's not been fazed by it, he's confident.

"He's not just there for experience, he's ready to play a part if he has to."

Carrick's still got it

They say you never lose it and whilst a yard of pace has gone, Michael Carrick still looks at home in the United training set-up.

The former England midfielder took part in the warm-up rondo session along with Darren Fletcher and Carrick still looks the part, now aged 39.

In particular, one piece of movement stood out where he escaped the attentions of Shola Shoretire to retain possession with a great pass around the corner.

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