Manchester United got off to the best possible start to pre-season last week as they beat Wayne Rooney’s Derby at Pride Park. Goals from Tahith Chong and Facundo Pellistri on either side of half-time ensured a winning start to preparations.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rotated his squad heavily throughout the game, with a whopping 23 players featuring in the match. Nine substitutions were made at half-time before an additional three were made later.
Earlier this week, the squad left their Carrington basecamp for a pre-season camp in Surrey, welcoming Scott McTominay and Daniel James back to the squad after their involvement in this summer’s European Championship.
“It’s fantastic to be here,” Solskjaer told ManUtd.com on arrival in Surrey. “The facilities are great and we’re together, that’s the main thing for that bonding. We all eat together and spend time with each other and it’s a chance to really do some good work and really put down a foundation for the rest of the season for these boys, and men some of them!
“It’s a decision we made (leaving Carrington). Of course, we drive up the road and have great facilities at Carrington, but it is special to have that pre-season tour feeling.
The COVID-19 pandemic has for the second summer running meant that a ‘real’ pre-season tour was impossible. Instead, a domestic set of fixtures was planned over the course of the summer.
After last Sunday’s defeat of Derby, a trip to Loftus Park awaits Solskjaer’s side as they prepare to take on Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
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