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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Richards

Paul Pogba front and centre as Manchester United fly to Australia on pre-season tour

Manchester United's 28-man squad arrived at Manchester Airport ahead of their flight to Australia, with Paul Pogba front and centre.

The wantaway midfielder returned from his extended holiday in New York on Saturday, before arriving at Carrington on Sunday morning.

The World Cup winner was ordered to report for the 18-day trip to Australia, Singapore and China by boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after being allowed additional days off.

But club chiefs were left sweating over the £89million star actually returning, following the declarations of his agent, Mino Raiola, on Friday.

Pogba arrives at Manchester Airport (ZENPIX LTD)
Lukaku's move to Inter Milan remains in limbo (Eamonn and James Clarke)

Pogba returned on Sunday morning, having flown back from New York on Saturday evening, driven into Carrington in the back of a Mercedes van by his driver, Abbs.

He was subsequently named in the travelling party by the club - but only after club chiefs were satisfied that he would be aboard.

Pogba was the only member of the squad or coaching staff not wearing his club blazer for the brief walk from coach to plane - despite the fact that the players changed into more comfortable club wear after boarding the long-haul flight anyway.

Pogba's future remains up in the air (ABNM Photography)
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Eamonn and James Clarke)

Solskjaer and his side head to Australia on Sunday afternoon to kick-off their preparations for the new season.

Romelu Lukaku, another player linked with a summer departure, is also included among the 28-man party - as are new signings Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side will take on Perth Glory and Leeds before continuing on for pre-season games in Singapore and China, against Inter Milan and Tottenham respectively.

£50million new boy Aaron Wan-Bissaka has travelled (Eamonn and James Clarke)
Another new boy, Daniel James, was one of the last off the bus (ZENPIX LTD)

Notable by their absences were England Under-21 international Dean Henderson, Brazilian midfielder Fred and Matteo Darmian.

Henderson is closing on a return to Sheffield United on loan, having impressed at Bramall Lane as the Blades secured promotion last season.

It's understood talks are at an advanced stage.

United's senior Spanish pair - missing old pal Ander Herrera (ZENPIX LTD)

Both Darmian and Fred were missing due to what have been described as separate 'family issues'.

Both are expected to meet up with the team at a later date on the tour however.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah was also absent, and his future looks set to be elsewhere.

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