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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Elliott Jackson

Three things spotted in Manchester United training as Hannibal Mejbri tries to do what Shola Shoretire did

Manchester United are back in Premier League action on Sunday as they travel across the Pennines to face Leeds United.

It's United 's first trip to Elland Road since September 2011, when they beat Leeds 3-0, helped by a brace from Michael Owen.

Just under 10 years later, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men would love a repeat scoreline against a Leeds side that have taken four points from their last two matches against Manchester City and Liverpool.

In fact, no side from the 'big six' has done the double over Marcelo Bielsa's side yet, though United can achieve that on Sunday having won 6-2 at Old Trafford in December.

As United fine-tune their preparations for the weekend, here's what we noticed from their latest training session.

Solskjaer and Van de Beek chat

The curious case of Donny van de Beek continues after only two Premier League starts all season.

With Champions League qualification all but secure, the Dutchman will be hoping for some more domestic minutes with the Europa League semi-final against Roma on the horizon.

Van de Beek was pictured in conversation with Solskjaer at Carrington. Could he be set for a rare Premier League start?

Three academy youngsters involved

Hannibal Mejbri and Anthony Elanga are both yet to make their United debuts, though the latter was an unused substitute for the two Europa League quarter-final games against Granada.

Solskjaer has shown little reluctance to offer chances to United's up-and-coming crop, with Shola Shoretire making his debut for the club against Newcastle United in February. Shoretire was also involved in training after being promoted to the first-team bubble earlier in the year.

Asked whether Mejbri could be next in line for his debut, Solskjaer said earlier this month: “Yes, definitely. He was unlucky getting injured, six weeks ago, when he was supposed to come up [to train] with us.

“Now he’s got over the injury and joined in, and he’s done well, the boy.”

A debut at Leeds for either Hannibal or Elanga is unlikely, but United might have some free hits in the league towards the end of the season when a top-four spot is wrapped up.

Bailly returns to training

Eric Bailly was pictured back in training after returning to Carrington this week following a period on the sidelines with coronavirus.

Bailly had been isolating at home after contracting the virus while on international duty with the Ivory Coast.

The defender's last appearance for United came in the 1-1 draw with AC Milan on 11 March but could he could be involved if Solskjaer opts to rotate his squad ahead of the meeting with Roma.

"Back to training," Bailly posted on social media early this week. "Excited to be back with the team very soon. Thanks for all the concern and support messages after being diagnosed with COVID."

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