Manchester United put in the hard yards during Dubai training camp

The sun has certainly been shining on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since he took over as Manchester United manager.

Five wins from five matches have brought a sense that the Manchester United of old are gradually making a return.

And the upturn in both mood and results was there for all to see as the squad took to the training pitches at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai.

United arrived in the UAE on Saturday evening for a spell of warm weather fitness work, and after a day of rest on Sunday the players got down to some hard graft on Monday.

Training consisted of some running, a session of rondos (keep ball in a box) and then some more ball work before the squad took part in a mini-match. A further training session will take place today.

For assistant manager Mike Phelan, it was a chance to get back into a pair of shorts after leaving behind the freezing English weather.

Phelan of course will have been used to the warmer climate having recently returned to United from a role as sporting director at the Australian side Central Coast Mariners.

Solskjaer and Phelan will have been keeping a close eye on the FA Cup draw last night, as United, who beat Reading 2-0 in the third round, were drawn against Arsenal in the fourth round.

The players were given some down time afterwards, so Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard took the opportunity to hit the shops with a trip to Dubai Mall where they were pleased to find an image of Rashford on the wall.

Rashford meanwhile paid tribute to his new manager in a social media post where he was pictured being given some advice during training. "Seconds left.. Becks whipped in a perfect corner. Teddy flicked it on. The rest is history," he wrote.

Midfielder Nemanja Matic was in high spirits, teasing his teammates about the heat, as he commented: "Smile boys! ! Or is the heat too much for you?

Paul Pogba has reportedly joined up with the squad in Dubai. The Frenchman missed the first two days of the trip having stayed behind to receive treatment on an injury as he attempts to recover in time for United's tip to Tottenham on January 13.

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