Erik ten Hag had a group of Manchester United players back on the training field less than a day after their Europa League tie with FC Porto ended in a draw.
United took an early advantage at the Estadio do Dragao with goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund. However, they soon found themselves trailing due to goals from Pepe and a brace by Samu Omorodion, leaving them facing a possible fourth loss of the season. Harry Maguire saved United from defeat by heading in a last-minute equalizer from a Christian Eriksen corner.
On Friday afternoon, players including Joshua Zirkzee, Altay Bayindir, Johnny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Tom Heaton, Dan Gore, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Antony, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer were seen training at the Estadio do Bessa. Of the 11 players involved in the session, 10 had been part of the squad for Thursday’s match, with Mainoo being the only one who wasn’t.
Mainoo, an England international, is eyeing a possible return in Sunday’s clash against Aston Villa at Villa Park after sustaining a hamstring injury against Tottenham Hotspur the previous week.
In a pre-Villa press conference, Ten Hag shared an update: “We had three players with concerns before the Porto game: Harry Maguire, Alejandro Garnacho, and Kobbie Mainoo. Harry and Alejandro were able to play a few minutes, but it was too risky for Mainoo.”
Ten Hag added, “We’ll have to see if Mainoo is ready for Sunday, whether he can start or feature on the bench.”
