Man United press conference LIVE Amad and Bryan Mbeumo set to speak

Two Manchester United players will be sitting down with the media this afternoon at the start of their Dublin training camp

Manchester United's first team squad have travelled to Dublin this week for a four-day training camp ahead of next week's Premier League return vs Leeds.

The Reds are staying at the luxury Carton House where they will be put through their paces by Michael Carrick and his backroom staff. The break will give United's players a chance to refocus ahead of a crucial Premier League run-in.

Carrick's side sit third in the Premier League, six points ahead of fifth place Liverpool. United will be guaranteed a spot in next season's Champions League if they finish in the top four.

A 25-man squad has flown out to Ireland with the Reds buoyed by Lisandro Martinez, Patrick Dorgu, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko's involvement. The quartet were all struggling with injuries before and during the international break but their inclusion suggests they are closing in on a return to competitive action.

Youngsters Dermot Mee, Fred Heath, Yuel Helafu, Jim Thwaites and Victor Musa were also called up for the camp. However, long-term absentee Matthijs de Ligt has not travelled.

Follow the press conference updates below...

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Key Events

Maguire signs new contract

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Wilcox pleased with Maguire deal

United's sporting director Jason Wilcox is delighted to see the centre-back commit to a new deal. He said:

Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad. Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success.

Maguire reacts to new contract

After signing his new deal with the Reds, Maguire told MUTV:

Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day. I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together. You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us.

Maguire signs new contract

United have confirmed defender Harry Maguire has signed a new contract. The 33-year-old's deal was set to expire at the end of this season but after an impressive campaign, the former Leicester and Hull City centre-back has agreed a new contract that will expire in 2027.

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Dorgu on the road to recovery

One important inclusion in the United squad is Dorgu. When he picked up his injury at Arsenal, it was hoped he would be back soon. However, he has now missed eight Premier League matches with his hamstring complaint. Last week, he started an individual training regime on the grass and while Leeds could come too soon for his return, it will be interesting to see if he is introduced to team training while in Dublin.

When will we hear from the duo?

Amad and Mbeumo will speak to the media at 1.30pm this afternoon. Not too long to wait!

Amad and Mbeumo good friends

Amad and Mbeumo are good friends both on and off the pitch. The duo formed a great partnership at the beginning of the campaign and that has blossomed since.

Players confirmed

It will be Amad and Mbeumo speaking to the media this afternoon in Dublin.

These camps are important

While it is easy to dismiss these training camps as being inconsequential compared to pre-season or competitive matches, they can be season-defining. A change of scenary for the first team squad and a chance to bond away from distractions should bring this group closer together. That will be crucial if the Reds are to hang on to third.

United leading the race for Champions League

With Arsenal and City almost guaranteed Champions League football, United are in the next best position to make it to European football's top competition next season. The Reds are six points clear of fifth place Liverpool and even if they do drop into fifth, Carrick's side are more than likely going to qualify for the Champions League anyway. Games against Chelsea and Liverpool await before the end of the season but the top four is in their own hands.

What Champions League would mean to United

There was a time when Manchester United could take Champions League football for granted. The prestige of European nights at Old Trafford was a given and the revenues the competition delivers were baked into the balance sheet. United enjoyed 18 unbroken years at Europe's top table until Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement changed the course of history. Where once United were regulars in the knockout stages, qualifying for the competition is now a challenge.

There have been just six Champions League campaigns since 2013 and only one knockout tie since the spring of 2020. United are yet to play in the competition's new format, which offers eight league phase games after eight different opponents.

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Five youngsters given their shot

While Lacey is with the U21s ahead of a huge clash with Real Madrid tonight at Old Trafford, five youngsters are in Ireland with the first team looking to impress Carrick. Goalkeepers Mee and Heath, defender Helafu, midfielder Thwaites and forward Musa will all be getting a taste of what it takes to make it at United. A huge and valuable experience for them.

United make Lacey decision

Shea Lacey will be available for Manchester United Under-21s when they face Real Madrid at Old Trafford on Tuesday, after the teenage winger was left out of a first-team training camp near Dublin. Adam Lawrence's young charges have a date with the Spanish giants' youngsters tomorrow, with the fixture the quarter-final of the Premier League International Cup. With United without a first-team date for so long, the game has been moved from Leigh Sports Village to Old Trafford.

But the fixture clashes with a first-team training camp across the Irish Sea. Michael Carrick's squad flew to Dublin on Monday and will remain in Ireland until Thursday as they look to step up preparations for the game against Leeds next week.

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Why 24-day break could be perfect for United

To put Manchester United's 24-day mid-season break into context, it is longer than Manchester City's pre-season last summer. We are in uncharted territory here for clubs to be going so long without a game at what is normally the crunch point in the season. City's condensed pre-season was due to their Club World Cup commitments earlier in the summer, while United's hiatus is due to an international break and the scheduling of the FA Cup quarter-finals the following weekend. It presents plenty of challenges, however.

United have become accustomed to the slower pace this season. Having been knocked out of both cup competitions at the first hurdle, they will play just 40 matches in the campaign. Now, they have this lengthy break between games to navigate.

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United's 25-man training squad

Here is the full squad for the Dublin training camp:

Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Senne Lammens, Dermot Mee, Fred Heath.

Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Yuel Helafu.

Midfielders: Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Jim Thwaites.

Forwards: Matheus Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee, Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Victor Musa.

Read more here>>>

Good morning

Hello and welcome to a slightly different United press conference blog. Instead of hearing from Michael Carrick this afternoon, two players will be addressing the media. A wide range of topics could be on the agenda as United look to gather themselves for the all-important final seven games of the season.

The Reds will be happy to have Martinez, Dorgu, Sesko and Mbeumo in their travelling squad. The attacking duo pulled out of the international break due to injury issues. Both were minor concerns that seem to have been helped by the extended break. Meanwhile, Dorgu has been on an individual programme in recent days after being injured at Arsenal while Martinez has been missing since the win at Everton. Their returns will add reinforcements to Carrick's defence.

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