Manchester United are preparing to isolate Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia from the first-team setup when they return from their US tour next week.
The four players — dubbed the “Bomb Squad” — will continue training at Carrington but on a separate schedule from the main squad to avoid contact with their team-mates.
While the club considered sending the group to train with the Under-21s, sources have told The Sun the idea was rejected over potential legal complications.
Instead, they will work as a unit under a modified routine.
Manchester United are preparing to isolate Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia from the first-team setup when they return from their US tour next week
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“They will train together as a group but on a different schedule to the first-team. The first-team will train in the morning. They will train in the afternoon,” a source was quoted as saying.
This move comes after the quartet was left out of the club's pre-season tour of the United States and instructed by head coach Ruben Amorim to seek new opportunities elsewhere.
“Their days at United are numbered. As such, it would be inappropriate for them to remain around the first-team,” another insider said.
“Ruben is determined to foster a new culture at Old Trafford.
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"The players are all on board and he wants no distractions as they close in on the start of the new season. He wants to create an intimate team bond.”
Amorim has been tasked with a major overhaul following a disastrous campaign that ended with United finishing 15th — their worst league finish since relegation in 1973–74 — and suffering a 1–0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Veteran defender Luke Shaw publicly supported Amorim’s tough approach and criticised the environment at the club in recent years.
“It's not hard to see from the outside what it's been like,” Shaw said earlier this week.
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Manchester United duo Antony and Tyrell Malacia have failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford
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“A lot of the time I've been here over the last few years it's been extremely negative. It can be quite toxic, the environment, it's not healthy at all.”
Reflecting on recent changes, he added: “But there are no stragglers in this group any more. That's down to Ruben's mentality, his demands.
"Everyone has to put the team first. He's made that very clear and he's picking players on who he feels will be best for the team.”
Amorim has already started reshaping the squad. Matheus Cunha arrived from Wolves for £62.5million, while Bryan Mbeumo joined from Brentford in a deal that could rise to £71m.
United are still actively pursuing transfers, with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško — valued at £70m — now their main target.
Negotiators Christopher Vivell and Matt Hargreaves have flown to Germany to push talks forward after Aston Villa ruled out a move for Ollie Watkins.
In the meantime, United are hoping to raise funds through player sales.
Garnacho is reportedly a £45m target for Napoli, although the club is holding out for £70m, while Chelsea have also been linked.
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Man United duo Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho are surplus to requirements at Old Trafford
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Sancho, meanwhile, may return to Borussia Dortmund, where head coach Niko Kovač is pushing for a £17m deal.
Antony has been linked with a move to Spain, though United have struggled to drum up interest in Malacia - who has been plagued by injuries during his time at Old Trafford.
United’s pre-season concludes with a clash against Everton in the final match of their US tour.
They’ll return to England to prepare for a challenging Premier League opener at home against Arsenal on August 17.