Manchester United’s non-international players were given an extended break from football this week during the final international break of the calendar year.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to grant his players a week-long rest is said to have surprised some figures in the dressing-room, with the manager also returning home to Norway.

That’s according to The Athletic, who have compiled a report of some of the behind-the-scenes exchanges during a mellow week at Manchester United’s training ground.

As per the report, Solskjaer values letting his players return to full fitness and not overwork them in an already packed schedule, with the relentless run of fixtures since July 2020 cited as one of the reasons.

Furthermore, despite being granted time away from the training ground, Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood reported into training on Wednesday this week and took part in training sessions with a selection of U18 and U23 players.

Hannibal Mejbri, Charlie McNeill, and Charlie Wellens are said to have been among the group of players training with United’s star academy graduate duo.

Rashford reportedly reported into Carrington on several occasions, with Greenwood doing the same. Injured star Raphael Varane was also at the training ground as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

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