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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Four things spotted in Manchester United training as Malacia and Telles begin left-back battle

Manchester United's pre-season preparations are continuing in Thailand ahead of their first friendly of the tour.

Erik ten Hag will take charge of his first United match on Tuesday when they face great rivals Liverpool in Bangkok. Every member of the 31-man strong travelling squad will be hoping for a chance to impress the new man in charge and the game provides a great opportunity to do so.

Before the match, there has been another day of training in the sweltering Thai heat as the manager continues to run the rule over his players before selecting his first starting XI. United have released a series of photographs from the session and here are four things we spotted.

READ MORE: United are already listening to Klopp's advice on Ten Hag

The battle begins

Despite missing the last few weeks of the season and suffering a dip in form, Luke Shaw remains United's first-choice left-back at present. So Alex Telles and new signing Tyrell Malacia will have to prove themselves if they are to take the spot.

That battle between the pair appeared to get underway in Monday's session in an intense, small-sided game in which Malacia and Telles were getting stuck into each other. The Dutchman appeared to be giving his new teammate no time to settle as he pressured him and stuck in a tackle in an attempt to win possession. The competition looks to be high and that is sure to continue.

McTominay looking to impress

Scott McTominay works hard (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

With Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen hopefully arriving, United's current midfielders will have to do a hell of a lot to keep hold of their place in the side with such quality competition. Scott McTominay may be the player with his spot on the line the most but he looks to be doing all he can to keep hold of it.

The academy graduate looked to be training hard in one image. Perhaps he is hoping to make a point to Ten Hag that he doesn't need as many new midfielders as he thinks.

Settling in well

Tahith Chong and Tyrell Malacia walk onto the field. (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Malacia has only been a United player for a few days but he already seems to be settling into his new team well. There has yet to be an image of the 22-year-old without a big smile on his face and he appears to already be making friends in the squad.

He was pictured entering the pitch with fellow Dutchman Tahith Chong and if Ten Hag has his way the Dutch contingent will be growing further before too long.

Bruno feeling at home

Bruno Fernandes in training. (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

After over two years at the club, Bruno Fernandes finally got his wish after taking the No.8 jersey upon the departure of Juan Mata, swapping from his No.18.

Fernandes is clearly delighted with finally getting his favourite number, which is even tattooed on his arm, and looks in a happy, calm mood in every image taken of him from the session. Hopefully, the boost results in a return to form.

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