Kobbie Mainoo stayed away from Manchester United’s training base in Los Angeles despite holidaying in the Californian city during their stay, but he couldn’t resist dropping in to say hello before his team-mates left for South Carolina on Friday.
Mainoo watched part of United’s final training session at the University of California campus and then caught up with the rest of the squad afterwards.
The England midfielder will return to training early next week along with the other international players who featured in the latter stages of the Euros and Copa America including Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Alejandro Garnacho, Lisandro Martinez, Altay Bayindir and Facundo Pellistri.
The United squad also took time out to thank the staff at UCLA for their hospitality over the last two weeks and pose for a photo with them before travelling cross country to Columbia where they play Liverpool at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday.
Kobbie Mainoo stayed away from Manchester United ‘s training base in Los Angeles despite holidaying in the Californian city during their stay
But he couldn’t resist dropping in to say hello before his team-mates left for South Carolina
He will return to training early next week along with other international players who featured in the latter stages of the Euros and Copa America including Luke Shaw (right)
More tests for crocked Yoro
Erik Ten Hag and his players will fly straight back after Saturday’s game, arriving in Manchester on Sunday afternoon.
United want the squad to acclimatise as quickly as possible after the eight-hour flight home and five-hour time difference so they can return to work on Monday ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley next weekend.
United’s medical staff will make a further assessment of Leny Yoro’s broken metatarsal when he lands in the UK. The new £59million signing preferred to stay with his team-mates on tour rather than come home early after he suffered the injury against Arsenal in LA midway through the trip.
The initial prognosis is that the 18-year-old defender from Lille will be sidelined for three months, keeping him out of action until November.
United show off cup in Carolina
United have brought the FA Cup along to show off to US fans as they prepare to make their first ever appearance in South Carolina.
The famous old trophy will be on display at a fanzone where up to 5,000 people are expected to attend before Saturday’s game. Club ambassadors Andy Cole and Wes Brown are holding a Q&A event and kids can join in Manchester United Soccer School sessions.
United’s medical staff will make a further assessment of Leny Yoro’s broken metatarsal when he lands in the UK
The new £59million signing preferred to stay with his teammates on tour rather than come home early
Erik Ten Hag and his players will fly straight back after Saturday’s game, arriving in Manchester on Sunday afternoon
The club were keen to break new ground in the US where new supporters’ clubs have recently opened up in North and South Carolina, but it was also an ideal stopping-off point en route home from LA.
The players were unhappy with the itinerary in the US a year ago that saw United going back and forth to Houston from their base in San Diego before travelling home via Las Vegas. This summer the intention was to make the tour more football led with a single base in LA and less zig-zagging across the country.
The Williams-Brice Stadium made a sensible venue for both United and Liverpool with its natural grass surface and large 77,000-capacity. This will be the biggest-ever grossing event at the stadium and biggest attendance for a non-American football game.
United’s chief operating officer Collette Roche said: ‘We’ve never played in this region of the US before, so it was a chance to introduce Manchester United to a new audience and give many existing fans a first opportunity to watch the team live.’
Fan events a big hit in Cali
United’s fan engagement with thousands of supporters in California focused on initiatives that benefit youth and under-privileged communities.
The club teamed up with Street Soccer USA to stage tournaments for 120 youngsters in the Watts and Escondido areas of Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as the Compton Cowboys to teach kids the values of football and how to ride and maintain horses to guide them away from gang culture in LA.
United have brought the FA Cup along to show off to US fans as they prepare to make their first ever appearance in South Carolina
Club ambassador Andy Cole (right) is holding a Q&A event and kids can join in Manchester United Soccer School sessions
The Williams-Brice Stadium made a sensible venue for both United and Liverpool with its natural grass surface and large 77,000-capacity
United also collaborated with Angel City FC to run a mental health workshop for 60 young females from across the city who want to become football coaches.
All the people involved were offered the chance to attend United’s matches against Arsenal in LA and Real Betis in San Diego, with many of them watching live professional sport for the first time.
More than 3,500 fans also turned up for warm-up events outside the SoFi and Snapdragon stadiums for the two games, and United hosted a yacht party for fans in San Diego.