MANCHESTER UNITED drafted youngster Sam Mather into first-team training amid an apparent fitness issue with Noussair Mazraoui.
Mazraoui and fellow defender Lisandro Martinez were the only senior outfield players absent from imagery and footage released by the club from their midweek training session.
Noussair Mazraoui was not visible in Manchester United training amid an apparent fitness issue[/caption]
Ruben Amorim is expected to provide a fitness update on the defender on Friday[/caption]
His absence prompted a first-team training call up for Sam Mather[/caption]
Martinez is stepping up his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained against Crystal Palace on February 2 with individual sessions.
Mazraoui returned from injury against Burnley last month and has since started in both of United’s Premier League fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea.
However, the Morocco international’s absence from United’s recorded session on Tuesday afforded an opportunity for FA Youth Cup winner Mather to train with the first team.
United will leave it to head coach Ruben Amorim to provide a fitness update on Mazraoui on Friday.
Mather, 21, started in the same side as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho that beat Nottingham Forest in the 2022 final but the Mancunian is yet to make a matchday squad.
The winger joined National League side Rochdale on loan in the 2024 winter transfer window and earlier this year moved to League Two Tranmere Rovers on loan, where he played only four minutes.
Mather’s versatility allowed him to fill the void on the right wing in Mazraoui’s absence.
The academy talent was not in the United Under 21 squad for their Premier League International Cup victory against Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
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Erik ten Hag’s agent, Kees Vos, signed up Mather to his SEG International agency in May 2024.
Mather was included in Ten Hag’s final pre-season tour squad last year and came on in United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in South Carolina.
Mather is the only remaining SEG client at United following Rasmus Hojlund’s season-long loan move to Napoli on deadline day.
Amorim has whittled down the United first team squad to 21 outfield players, including Martinez.
The Argentina centre back has still been an ever-present at United’s Carrington training complex, attending team meetings and staying to watch teammates finish their team sessions.
Martinez was added to the relaunched United leadership group in the summer and travelled with the squad to the Etihad for the 3-0 derby drubbing two weeks ago.
United are without the suspended Casemiro at Brentford in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off after his red card in the 2-1 win against Chelsea.
Manuel Ugarte is expected to replace the Brazil international.
Man Utd player ratings: Mazraoui and De Ligt impress amid Chelsea chaos but Casemiro behaviour set up nervy finale
MANCHESTER UNITED held their nerve to see off Chelsea despite a late fightback at Old Trafford.
Robert Sanchez was sent off after five minute before goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro gave United a 2-0 half-time lead.
But Casemiro was also sent off to even the playing field and despite Trevoh Chalobah pulling one back – United held firm.
Find out how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated Ruben Amorim’s men from the Theatre of Dreams here.
