Jose hopes for help in Leicester game

The Reds host Leicester City in the opening game of the 2018/19 campaign, meaning many of the squad who were involved in the latter stages of the World Cup will have had very little training time ahead of the new season.

Marcus Rashford, Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof, all returned to the Aon Training Complex last week and gained some vital minutes in United’s final pre-season game against Bayern Munich on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho suggested at least one of Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku will feature against the Foxes under the lights at Old Trafford.

"Rashford will be in a better situation than today,” the Reds boss told MUTV.

“Lindelof the same, Jones the same and let's see if one of the others is ready to give us a help, 20-25 minutes. Any help that can come from them, is welcome.”

Jose also gave an update on the players who are due to report back for training on Monday, following reaching the latter stages of the World Cup this summer.

“They are back tomorrow,” he confirmed after the 1-0 defeat to Bayern.

“Even though, and I want to say a nice word, we were 'unlucky' to get the Friday match as we could get the Sunday [fixture].

“We were unlucky to get the Friday match. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday is not enough, but we will see.”

Ander Herrera and Eric Bailly appeared to pick up knocks in the Allianz Arena encounter and will be assessed in Manchester, with the boss plotting his line-up for the campaign opener.

Leicester also have some big decisions to make, particularly regarding England duo Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy, with manager Claude Puel hinting they will not be available to start the game due to their exertions in Russia.