Manchester United has confirmed that it will exclude several key players — Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia, and Jad’ton Sancho — from their squad for the upcoming preseason tour in the United States. The decision, reported by ESPN, was made to address specific team dynamics and prepare for the new season. The club has not provided detailed reasons for the exclusion, but it is believed to be part of a strategic move to manage player workload and ensure competitive readiness for the upcoming campaign.
The players involved in the exclusion are all key contributors to the team’s success in recent seasons. Garnacho, a young Argentine striker, has been a standout performer since joining from Barcelona, while Antony, a Brazilian winger, has been instrumental in the club’s attacking play. Malacia, the Dutch right-back, and Sancho, the English winger, have also been regular starters in recent campaigns. Their exclusion from the U.S. tour has raised questions among fans about the team’s strategy and the potential implications for their availability in the new season.
United’s management has not commented on the specifics of the decision, but it is understood that the move is part of a broader plan to manage player fitness and workload ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League season. The club is also preparing for potential transfer activity in the summer, which may influence the squad composition for the upcoming tour. The exclusion of these players from the U.S. trip could serve as a way to keep them fresh for the start of the season, reducing the risk of injuries and fatigue.
Coach Erik ten Hag has emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced squad and ensuring that all players are in peak condition for the new campaign. The decision to omit key players from the preseason tour is not uncommon in football, with many clubs using such strategies to manage workload and maintain squad depth. However, the scale of the exclusion and the high-profile nature of the players involved have led to speculation about the club’s long-term plans for the squad.