Manchester United have been handed an intriguing team-news boost before facing AC Milan after Ruben Amorim reportedly removed four players from his first-team plans.
Michael Carrick’s side complete their pre-season programme against Milan in Wroclaw on Saturday, with the former United head coach providing an added subplot to the fixture.
Amorim will, however, be without several senior players after making a significant squad decision ahead of the new Serie A campaign.
Man Utd vs AC Milan team news takes major twist
AS reports that Christopher Nkunku, Fikayo Tomori, Youssouf Fofana and David Odogu are no longer considered part of Amorim’s plans.
All four have reportedly started training separately and will not be called up to face Manchester United.
The decision follows Milan’s 3-0 pre-season defeat against Chelsea, after which Amorim publicly indicated that decisions would be made over his squad.
Nkunku and Tomori are the most recognisable absentees for Premier League supporters, while Fofana made 49 appearances across all competitions for Milan last season.
Their absence reduces Amorim’s options for the final friendly before Milan begin their competitive campaign.
For United, the fixture remains primarily about Carrick’s own preparations.
Marcus Rashford could make his first appearance for the club in more than 600 days, while Carrick will also hope to get further minutes into players returning later from the World Cup.
United drew 1-1 with Leeds on Wednesday before winning the resulting penalty shootout 5-4.
AC Milan’s disrupted preparations add another interesting element to Saturday’s meeting, particularly given Amorim’s reunion with the club that dismissed him earlier this year.
Carrick will place far more importance on United’s performance than Milan’s internal issues, but four senior opponents being removed from contention certainly changes the challenge awaiting his side in Poland.
