Manchester United's first-team squad will report back for training on Friday after being given a day off following a humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, sources have told ESPN.
The result was United's heaviest Champions League loss since a 4-0 reverse against Barcelona in November 1994. It leaves Michael Carrick's team 21st in the League Phase table after one win and two defeats in their opening three games. Despite the magnitude of the loss to Cesc Fàbregas' side, which led to captain Bruno Fernandes criticising the team's tactics, the players will take their pre-arranged day off before preparing for Sunday's Premier League home clash with Bournemouth.
United's flight from Italy landed in Manchester at 12.20 a.m. Thursday, and the decision to give the players a day off was based on recovery ahead of the weekend fixture. United are winless in their last seven games in all competitions, losing four of them, against Manchester City, Brighton, Atlético Madrid and Como. They sit 13th in the Premier League, having won just one league game all season.
Fitness concerns remain over several players, including Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martínez, Ayden Heaven and Benjamin Sesko. Carrick said he was "frustrated, more than frustrated" and "really angry" after the game. "But you've got to move on, you've got to deal with what's next," he added. "There's a lot to do before that next game, to get the team ready, because that was a difficult night for everyone."
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing