Bruno Fernandes returns to Man Utd training ahead of Brentford friendly

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has returned to pre-season training ahead of the 2021/22 campaign following his summer holiday, but the Portuguese superstar will not be involved when United face Brentford in a friendly on Wednesday.

Fernandes only reached the last 16 of Euro 2020 with his country and has had four weeks off since then to rest and recover. The 26-year-old played 58 club games in all competitions last season, scoring 28 goals in the process, and deserved every second of his break.

Fernandes reported for training on Tuesday, having earlier posted on social media that he has ‘fully charged batteries’ in time for the new season.

While the squad talisman won’t feature against Brentford with only one training session under his belt, it remains possible that he could make an appearance against Preston on 31 July, and all but certainly when United face Everton at Old Trafford in their final summer friendly on 7 August.

Dean Henderson is also back in training but, like Fernandes, also won’t play against Brentford.

There could, however, be chances to play for Donny van de Beek, who is determined to prove himself and fight for his place, Scott McTominay and Diogo Dalot.

“We’re adding more and more players now of course,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the club’s in-house media channels.

“Dean is back in training which is good for us, he won’t be ready for the Brentford game. Diogo and Donny have trained and they’re ready to play a part in the game, I would think they’ll be subs. Bruno is back in training. He’s not ready to join the Brentford game yet, but he’s not too far.”

Paul Pogba is expected to resume training next week, while United are also awaiting the return of their England internationals, who were involved in the final of Euro 2020 less than three weeks ago – Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and now also new signing Jadon Sancho.

Raphael Varane reported for duty with Real Madrid over the weekend but his proposed transfer to United is thought to be very close after the two clubs agreed a fee starting at just £35m. The Frenchman has been tipped to undergo a medical as early as Wednesday.

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