Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has announced his 25-man squad for the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of China.
Out of the notable figures missing the trip to the Far East is left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson. The 19-year-old made his first team debut last November, under the guidance of Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman was shown the exit door and was replaced by Jose Mourinho in May. Just days after the Portuguese tactician was announced as the manager of the 20-time English champions, the teenage full-back signed a new deal, which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2020 and has an option to further extend it by one more year.
Borthwick-Jackson’s absence from the squad might come as a shock for many, especially after Mourinho handed him a new deal. However, the Manchester Evening News report claims that the star defender is out of action due to a groin strain.
United face Borussia Dortmund and derby rivals Manchester City in pre-season fixtures in China. Borthwick-Jackson will miss those matches as he targets to recover from his injury. He is expected to return to fitness next week so that he can be in contention to face United’s fixtures in August.
Everton will face the Old Trafford club for Wayne Rooney’s testimonial and following that, Mourinho’s side will take on Premier League winners Leicester City in the Community Shield clash on August 7.
Borthwick-Jackson could be in contention to make his way into the squad in either of the two matches. However, it should be seen whether he will get a chance to make his way into the starting lineup after Luke Shaw’s return from injury.
The former Southampton left-back suffered a horror injury last September, which saw him spend the remainder of last season on the sidelines. He returned to the first team during United’s 2-0 pre-season win over Wigan Athletic.
Here it is – our confirmed, 25-man squad heading to China for #MUTOUR… pic.twitter.com/fVO0qzmI2L
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 19, 2016
United’s travelling squad for China:
De Gea, Romero, Johnstone, Bailly, Blind, Fosu-Mensah, Jones, McNair, Rojo, Shaw, Smalling, Tuanzebe, Valencia, Carrick, Herrera, Januzaj, Lingard, Mata, Memphis, Mkhitaryan, A.Pereira, Young, Keane, Rashford, Rooney.
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