Ruben Amorim has the green light to unleash Manchester United's new first-choice defence

Pre-season preparations are well under way at Carrington.

Some members of Manchester United's first-team squad started to return to the club's training base on Monday before those who were on international duty at the end of last season reported back on Thursday.

Accounting for all the images and training ground footage shared by United throughout the week, 31 players have been spotted participating in training at various stages.

After doing fitness and conditioning testing in the gym, head coach Ruben Amorim is now overseeing matters out on the grass. United's opening friendly is against Leeds United in Stockholm on July 19 and he will be keen to see his side hit the ground running.

Pre-season is the ideal time for head coaches to get their ideas across, implement their plans and edge closer towards working out a first-choice starting XI ahead of the competitive action beginning in August.

With just two new signings through the door so far, Amorim, unless things change quickly between now and a-week-on-Saturday, will not be deploying a team too dissimilar to the one that ended last season in Sweden.

Matheus Cunha is set to become a guaranteed starter at Old Trafford, occupying the left-sided No.10 spot, while it remains to be seen how big a role left-back Diego Leon could play in his first season at the club.

United remain hungry to strengthen their attack this summer, prioritising the signings of Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo and out-and-out centre-forward. They are also keen to sign a midfielder and a goalkeeper.

One area that is not in desperate need of modification, though, is the centre-back department. Despite saying farewell to Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof at the end of last month, United are still well-stocked