Red Devils make mid-season tour decision and Carrick hits town to celebrate

Sources said that the trip was no longer a “given” and United’s only windows of opportunity now are in March.

United have an 11-day gap between fixtures against Newcastle on March 4 and Aston Villa at home on March 15.

After United travel to Bournemouth on March 20, they do not play for 22 days, although that period covers the March internationals.

United have dampened talk of heading abroad since Michael Carrick came in and they started winning regularly.

Disrupting their rhythm would be dicey when United are now well placed to qualify for the Champions League.

Weighing up the hundreds of millions of Champions League lucre against a few million pounds in the Middle East effectively makes their own minds up.

When United headed to Malaysia and Hong Kong for their post-season tour, there was no jeopardy as their season had ended and they made around £10million from the trip.

There would be jeopardy if they travelled to Saudi Arabia with eight games still remaining.

SELF-DESTRUCT

United’s later arrival time for home games means patient supporters are missing out on autographs and selfies.

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Previously this season, United would turn up at Old Trafford in enough good time for the players to reward those who had waited hours to meet their heroes.

But now players head straight for the Stretford End entrance after they step off the team coach.

Fans are likelier to get a memento from their day at the stadium if they assemble outside the players’ exit after the game.

If United have won, the chances are many players will take time to scrawl their signatures in autograph books and pose for pictures.

CHANGE OF TRAVEL

Another minor change to United under Carrick is their departure time for London matches.

United used to board their London-bound trains at around 4pm the day before matches. Now it is roughly an hour earlier.

As SunSport previously reported, Carrick has also shortened training sessions but made them more intense.

United have also opted for the bus back from London more often of late but the inconvenient kick-off time forced them back into the air on the way back from West Ham.

The match started at 8.15pm and Carrick’s press conference finished at gone 11pm. It is just as well United’s flight was scheduled to leave Stansted at 1am.

BACK IN THE FRAME

It seemed likely that England would have zero United representation for the first time at a major tournament.

But Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are back in the mix for selection for the 2026 World Cup.

Thomas Tuchel was at London Stadium on Tuesday night as United drew 1-1 with West Ham.

Shaw did not have his best game and Mainoo was denied an excellent assist after VAR chalked off Casemiro’s goal, but Maguire was strong again before coming off with a knock.

Maguire revealed he was “good” when asked about a possible injury in the mixed zone after the game.

All three have one last chance to be called up to Tuchel’s final camp in March.

JEEPERS KEEPERS

United’s goalkeeping unit is set to undergo major surgery this summer.

Senne Lammens has been a breath of fresh air in the No1 shirt since Andre Onana was sent to Turkey on loan.

United will attempt to move the Cameroon international on in the summer, with the stopper not featuring in the club’s long-term plans despite having two years left on his deal.

The 29-year-old has featured on 17 occasions for the Trabzonspor this season, conceding 26 times and only keeping three clean sheets in the process.

United’s current No2 Altay Bayindir’s future is also uncertain at the end of the season.

Radek Vitek is excelling on loan in the Championship with Bristol City and SunSport revealed he is likely to get a first team squad shot in the summer.

The club have a new arrival too after prising away promising young keeper Solomon Honor from Championship side Blackburn in January.

Elyh Harrison returned from his Shrewsbury loan last month after his game time reduced. He played in the 1-1 Under-21s draw with Derby last Friday night in Leigh.

Harrison and Honor are both 19 years old, so a decision needs to be made about the third choice keeper as Tom Heaton, 39, is out of contract in the summer.

TRAFF DATE

Fans have no fourth-round game this weekend after United were knocked out of the FA Cup.

But the club have now unveiled a unique Valentine’s Day package, offering couples the chance to spend this Saturday at Old Trafford.

The package includes a 70 minute guided tour before afternoon tea for £100 or a two-course meal for £150 each in a private box overlooking the pitch.

OUT FOR DINNER

United players will be given additional time off amid the 11-day break between games.

With United out of cup their next Premier League fixture is on a Monday night at Everton on February 23.

But despite the free time Carrick was spotted going for dinner with his backroom staff in Manchester on Thursday evening.

Carrick was joined by Steve Holland and Jonny Evans in a restaurant in Hale.

Perhaps the group were celebrating Carrick’s manager of the month award for January.

YOUTH CUP BOOST

JJ Gabriel will be eligible for the club’s FA Youth Cup fifth-round tie next week, following the FA‘s decision to rescind his red card.

The 15-year-old received a straight red card during Tuesday’s 4-3 triumph overWest Bromin the U18Premier LeagueCup.
United submitted an appeal to the FA seeking to overturn the ban, which has now proved successful, with Gabriel cleared for all three matches.
The dismissal carried a three-match suspension, which would have sidelined the teenager for the derby against City, the FA Youth Cup tie withOxfordand a U18s Premier League fixture againstWolves.

Before the red card, the youngster laid on two assists for his team-mates as United established a 4-0 advantage heading into half-time.