The United players grouped together in training.

How Mourinho upped the ante on day two in Dubai

Wednesday 10 January 2018 18:53

The fitness work continued in earnest for the Manchester United squad on day two in Dubai, as Jose Mourinho stepped up the intensity of this week's warm-weather training camp.

The manager put his players through another lengthy session at the impressive Nad Al Sheba Complex, with some ball work from the off during the session, as well as some pass and move drills.

Mourinho was clearly pleased to be back on the training pitch with his players, working hard on tactics and intricate areas of play, following a hectic run of fixtures that prevented any such sessions.

Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick once again took part in full training, which is a major boost for the boss ahead of the Premier League match against Stoke City at Old Trafford next Monday night.

INSIGHT

Speaking on MUTV on Tuesday night, former United defender David May was adamant that this mid-season trip to Dubai will have a positive impact on the team. “The players can relax because they’ve had god knows how many games over the last few weeks,” he said. “They can train hard in nice weather, but they can also recharge the batteries after a ridiculous run. Then they’ll be ready to go again.

“Looking to my time as a player, we had a few trips away during the season. We went to Spain a few times with Sir Alex and it was exactly the same thing. We perhaps had one evening out with the lads, and the rest of it was hard training and getting ready for the next game. It was a big help to us.”

IT'S NO BLACKPOOL

Paddy Crerand's mid-season breaks under Sir Matt Busby involved trips to Blackpool, which is slightly less glamorous than this trip to the Middle East, but the 1968 European Cup winner remains convinced it is a good idea.

“It is not a holiday,” he said. “People think they have gone there to put their feet up, but they are training as they do in Manchester - only with some sunshine on their backs. We want to get everybody fit as well, with so many games coming up, so it is great to see the likes of Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia on the pitch.”

Victor Lindelof and Henrikh Mkhitaryan pictured together at training in Dubai on Wednesday

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO TRAINING

Your club reporters are also out in Dubai, following the players and capturing every moment of training Nas Al Sheba from pitchside.

After all, it’s the little moments between the players that often the most interesting and we saw several on Wednesday. Check out our favourites below…

Pogba knows to keep security on side! Video

Pogba knows to keep security on side!

Paul Pogba knows it's wise to keep security on side... 💪😂

Watch out for Luke - he's got water! Video

Watch out for Luke - he's got water!

Our cameraman is in the thick of it!

That moment when the ball hits our camera! Video

That moment when the ball hits our camera!

That moment when the ball hits our camera... ⚽️📹🙈

Axel Tuanzebe's dive from the top board Video

Axel Tuanzebe's dive from the top board

Axel Tuanzebe impressed with his dive from the top board...

Top marks for Lindelof's pencil dive Video

Top marks for Lindelof's pencil dive

We're giving Victor Lindelof a perfect 1⃣0⃣ for his pencil dive from the top board...

GET CLOSER WITH MUTV

Subscribers to the official club channel can watch a daily show, United In Dubai, at 16:00 GMT on Thursday.