David de Gea leads the way in a snood as Manchester United players wrap up warm to train in freezing temperatures before Southampton clash

  • Man Utd have been training ahead of Southampton game on Saturday 
  • The players braved icy conditions to continue their preparations for the clash 
  • Marcos Rojo is available for Manchester United's game against Southampton
  • The defender picked up five bookings in five consecutive games upon his return
  • However his last booking came at the halfway point of the season where all bookings are wiped from the slate

Manchester United stars took to the training pitch in icy conditions on Thursday as they prepare for their must-win game against Southampton on Saturday. 

The Red Devils have fallen well behind runaway leaders Manchester City after a slump in form recently and will need three points against the Saints at Old Trafford. 

Goalkeeper David de Gea looked particularly prepared for the cold conditions as he covered his face with a Manchester United snood. 

David de Gea wrapped up warm in training ahead of Manchester United's Southampton clash

David de Gea wrapped up warm in training ahead of Manchester United's Southampton clash

The Spanish goalkeeper tackled the conditions wearing a club snood during the session

The Spanish goalkeeper tackled the conditions wearing a club snood during the session

Luke Shaw (L) followed suit, while Juan Mata (R) wore a hat and Phil Jones (C) went without

Luke Shaw (L) followed suit, while Juan Mata (R) wore a hat and Phil Jones (C) went without

Swedish defender Victor Lindeloff followed suit as did a host of other players as they tried to keep the cold at bay.


Manager Jose Mourinho arrived at the training base earlier on looking particularly downcast as he contemplated his team's loss of form and injury worries. 

Jose Mourinho arrived in a chauffeur-driven Jaguar at United's training ground on Thursday

Jose Mourinho arrived in a chauffeur-driven Jaguar at United's training ground on Thursday

Michael Carrick, who will miss the Southampton game, followed his manager in an Audi

Michael Carrick, who will miss the Southampton game, followed his manager in an Audi

Marcos Rojo, who is not banned for the game, turned up for the training session in a Cadillac 

Marcos Rojo, who is not banned for the game, turned up for the training session in a Cadillac 

Season at a glance

  • Premier League
  • Premier League
  • Championship
  • League One
  • League Two
  • Scottish Premiership
  • Scottish Div 1
  • Scottish Div 2
  • Scottish Div 3
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • La Liga
  • Bundesliga

The likes of Rojo, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Phil Jones and James Wilson followed their manager in, driving an array of flash cars, and were soon out on the pitch in freezing temperatures.

Chris Smalling is a doubt and Eric Bailley is a long-term absentee. Antonio Valencia is also likely to miss the match.  

Both Matteo Darmian and Anthony Martial are also doubtful after both players were omitted from Mourinho's squad to face Burnley, although they did take part in the session. Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini will also miss the game. 

There was some good news though, with Marcos Rojo available for selection despite picking up his fifth booking in five games against Burnley on Boxing Day. 

Many fans believed Rojo would miss the game because of the Premier League's automatic one-game ban for picking up five yellow cards.  

Jose Mourinho hands out instructions to his squad ahead of the game against Southampton

Jose Mourinho hands out instructions to his squad ahead of the game against Southampton

Anthony Martial took part in the session despite being an injury doubt, as did Ashley Young

Anthony Martial took part in the session despite being an injury doubt, as did Ashley Young

PREMIER LEAGUE BOOKING RULE

'Matchweek 19 marks the halfway point of the 2017/18 season and is the final round of matches when receiving a fifth booking of the campaign can result in a one-match ban'

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Rojo was booked for his foul by referee Martin Atkinson after just two minutes in United's 2-2 draw against Burnley on Boxing Day. 

However the former Sporting Lisbon man got his timing right as his fifth booking came on the first game at the midway point of the season when accumulative bookings are wiped off. 

United have now gone three games without a win in all competitions, falling well behind Manchester City in the title race. 

They'll be looking to get back to winning ways against Southampton, who are winless since their victory over Everton in November.  

Goalkeepers Sergio Romero (L), David de Gea (C) and Joel Pereira (R) pose for the camera

Goalkeepers Sergio Romero (L), David de Gea (C) and Joel Pereira (R) pose for the camera

Mourinho hands out instructions to Luke Shaw as he prepares for the game on Saturday

Mourinho hands out instructions to Luke Shaw as he prepares for the game on Saturday

Matteo Darmian also trained despite injury concerns, as did fellow defender Victor Lindelof

Matteo Darmian also trained despite injury concerns, as did fellow defender Victor Lindelof

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