Manchester United flight to Perth dramatically delayed and Eric Bailly leaves his mark in training

Manchester United's flight to Perth was delayed slightly amid sad circumstances at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday.

A military plane landed on the private runway, blocking United's take-off, due to a medical emergency on board. United were airborne 45 minutes later.

United trained at AAMI Park for the final time on Wednesday morning and were back at the quaint WACA at 10am on Thursday. The stadium is undergoing a renovation, so some stands were off limits but supporters packed out the first tier of the Lillee-Marsh Stand.

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In attendance was Danny Hodgson, a soccer player from Cumbria living in Perth who was in the Carlisle academy with United goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Hodgson was left in a coma last September after he was punched in an unprovoked attack at Perth Train Station. Hodgson spent six months in hospital and arrived at the WACA in a wheelchair but has started to walk.

United arranged for players to greet Hodgson, who was sent a video message by Henderson and Cristiano Ronaldo last year. His 17-year-old attacker was sentenced to three years and eight months in juvenile detention.

It was lashing it down during the open session. Scott McTominay was the only United player not present as he was doing recovery work in the team's hotel gym and at one point it looked like he might be joined by Marcus Rashford, hurt as Eric Bailly executed a fair recovery tackle in one of the games.

Anthony Martial looked particularly sharp and his imperious glare at Alejandro Garnacho during the keep-ball session was of a player oozing confidence. Mere months ago, Garnacho might have been eyeing Martial's squad spot but not anymore.

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