Manchester United players took part in their final training session on home soil this morning before travelling to Romania to face FCSB in Matchday 8 of the Europa League.
Ruben Amorim’s side need just a point to guarantee a place in the round of 16 stage of the competition and the squad seem in good spirits before the trip.
The good mood was reflected in training when Ruben Amorim and Darren Fletcher took part in a new training tradition, introduced since the arrival of the Portuguese coach.
The Athletic reporter Laurie Whitwell shared a video on X of Amorim and Fletcher running through a gauntlet made by the players to celebrate their respective birthdays.
Ruben Amorim running the gauntlet for his 40th birthday. Darren Fletcher, 41 on February 1, goes through with #MUFC head coach.
Luke Shaw is with group for full training. So too Marcus Rashford. pic.twitter.com/k7dSE6wGkK
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) January 29, 2025
Captain Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho stood at the start of the tunnel which was then made up of other first-team stars who slapped the pair on the head and back as they ran through.
Fletcher burst out of the other side before his boss who was seen jokingly clutching his back after taking the playful hits from his players.
The tradition has previously been used to welcome injured players back into the fold, including Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw in recent times.
Incidentally, long term absentee Shaw was part of today’s session and could be in line for a return to first team action in the upcoming fixtures.
Marcus Rashford was also present and joined in the fun, looking in a jovial mood despite his continued omission from Amorim’s matchday squads, a trend that will continue in Bucharest.
Amorim officially celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday with Fletcher turning 41 this coming Saturday.
The United head coach has already shared a joke on the matter, in one of his post match interviews after the recent victory against Fulham.
“It’s not 40…I’m 50! After two months at Manchester United, it’s 50. It’s a privilege to spend my 40th birthday here,” he said.
The pair will be desperate to mark their special day with a victory in Europe that will not only see them safely through to the knockout phase of the Europa League but continue the decent run of results United have enjoyed since the turn of the year.
The 3-1 reverse at the hands of Brighton at Old Trafford is the only loss the team have suffered in 2025 and another success in Bucharest will make it five wins from six this calendar year.
Feature image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
