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Mourinho, Pogba and Man Utd stars in hysterics during training, but are these pics staged?
MANCHESTER UNITED players looked delighted to be hard at work on the training pitch ahead of their clash with Brighton on Sunday (4pm).
Jose Mourinho: Life at the Aon Training Complex is good
The Manchester United squad were spotted laughing and joking throughout their latest training session at Carrington on Friday.
The Red Devils were enjoying a relaxed atmosphere ahead of their trip to the south coast where they will face Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Jose Mourinho also got in on the act as the Portuguese manager was snapped in hysterics while prowling around the pitches.
Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial were both beaming as they were put through their paces, despite recent reports that the duo had fallen out with Mourinho.
When quizzed on his relationship with Pogba, the United manager claimed it had never been better.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mourinho said: “I’ve never been so happy with him as I am now, that’s the truth”.
The alleged dispute centres on Pogba’s supposed desire to leave Old Trafford and join Barcelona.
However, both men looked in high spirits during training – contradicting reports of unrest among the squad.
Martial was singled out for criticism by his manager on United’s pre-season tour of the US after failing to rush back following the birth of his son.
Mourinho also aimed a sly dig at the French winger when he revealed that Martial has been the only player he has ever fined during his reign at the club.
The 22-year-old had been linked with a move to Tottenham during the summer transfer window but looked delighted to be taking part in training yesterday.
With every photograph released by the club showing players and coaches laughing and smiling, suspicions have been raised that the happy scenes were manufactured in an attempt to display unity.
Romelu Lukaku, who was pictured grinning from ear to ear as he attempted the Fortnite ‘L’ dance, is in line for a return to the starting XI this weekend.
Like Jesse Lingard, the Belgian missed the majority of pre-season following his post-World Cup holiday but is likely to be handed his first start of the season on Sunday.
United are expected to be without Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic against the Seagulls, although both Valencia and Matic have returned to training.
Sergio Romero, Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo are also sidelined due to injury and will not make the trip south.