Jose Mourinho is back at Carrington and preparing his Manchester United team for their eagerly-anticipated Premier League encounter against Liverpool on Saturday — and their was a familiar face present.
Injured striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is stepping up his injury recovery after sealing his United return in August, was among the stars pictured arriving at the club’s base.
The Swede visited the Carrington complex to continue his rehabilitation as he looks to make his second Red Devils debut after a stunning maiden season last term.
Injured striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was among the stars pictured arriving at the club’s base
Romelu Lukaku arrives in his black Mercedes ahead of the crucial clash with Liverpool
Juan Mata gave fellow Spain international David de Gea a lift to work on Wednesday
Chris Smalling hasn’t seen much first-team football this season but he turned up for training
And United fans had another reason to smile on Wednesday, with Romelu Lukaku also checking in for training after he recovered from an ankle injury to score in Belgium’s 4-0 win over Cyprus on Tuesday.
United boss Mourinho was snapped being driven into the club’s training ground while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcos Rojo were among the notable names on the playing staff arriving on Wednesday.
Rojo will not be in contention to feature as he is continuing his recovery from a knee ligament injury sustained in April against Anderlecht.
Phil Jones was also snapped driving through the Carrington gates, as were a couple of promising youngsters – defender Axel Tuanzebe and midfielder Scott McTominay.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho pictured arriving at Carrington on Wednesday
Attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan was also at Carrington on Wednesday
Armenia international Mkhitaryan arrived for training in his red Ferrari
Defender Marcos Rojo is still recovering from a knee injury sustained back in April
United boss Mourinho described the Liverpool match as ‘just another game’ but Red Devils playmaker Juan Mata is not in agreement with his manager.
Writing in his blog on United’s official website, Mata said: ‘We have to talk about our next Premier League game.
‘This is one of the big games of the season without a doubt. There’s no need to say what it means for us and for our fans, and I hope that we can play a great game and take the three points to Manchester.
‘We will try to extend our good run of results since the season started. I also hope that none of my team-mates has physical problems in the second game with the national teams as it was the case with (Marouane) Fellaini, to whom I wish a speedy recovery.’
Rojo’s fellow defender Phil Jones was attending United’s training session on Wednesday
Young midfielder Scott McTominay was also seen arriving for United’s Wednesday training
Promising defender Axel Tuanzebe was reporting for duty at Carrington on Wednesday
Fellaini injured a knee ligament on international duty and is set to be out for around a month.
Paul Pogba will also be absent for United’s trip to Liverpool as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
United are second in the Premier League with 19 points from seven games. Liverpool are seventh on 12.
Spain international Mata said United’s match against Liverpool is one of their biggest
United’s Marouane Fellaini will miss the trip to Anfield with a knee ligament injury