Amorim SLAPS MU stars in training as fans joke ‘I hope Shaw doesn’t get injured’

RUBEN AMORIM was caught playfully SLAPPING Manchester United players during a bizarre training session ahead of his Old Trafford debut.

But United fans were excited to finally see some joy return to Carrington – with many pleading with the new boss to “go easy on Luke Shaw” after he made his long-awaited return from injury last weekend.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw at Ipswich, Amorim told Sky Sports on Sunday: “I just want to spend time with my players.”

And the Portuguese tactician is clearly settling into his new role at United as Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire return to training.

Amorim and his coaching staff waited in the winter cold on Wednesday for his first-team squad to arrive at the training pitches.

The players, who smiled as they entered the gate, then gathered to form a tunnel to create space for their teammates to run through.

The group could be seen laughing and joking before Amorim turned to push Kobbie Mainoo back.

The former Sporting manager then lovingly launched the attack on Martinez, who took cover.

A beaming Shaw appeared to joke with his new boss before Amorim lovingly urged him to join Martinez at the top of the line.

It seems that Amorim had his long-term injured players running through the group as a kind of initiation to welcome them back into the group.

Martinez, Shaw, Maguire and a host of players began running through the man-made tunnel as their teammates in line jokingly punched them.

Shaw played his first United minutes since February against Ipswich after replacing Jonny Evans as left centre-back in the 59th minute.

Martinez suffered a blow in Ruud van Nistelrooy's last match and Maguire has been out since leaving Villa Park in a plastic boot when Erik ten Hag was still at the helm.

But fans quickly noticed how close the group had become ahead of United's Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

One wrote: “You gotta be careful with Luke Shaw, he could take him out for the rest of the season with those pushes 🤣.”

A second said: “I definitely feel he will bond the team more strongly here.”

Another added: “Amorim is more connected to the players because of his younger age.”

While a fourth wrote: “Stop pushing Shaw, he's gonna get hurt!🤣🤣”

A fifth replied: “This club needs more chemistry and he is trying to build it.”

Another wrote: “It's heartwarming to watch.”

United will welcome 12 percent of the entire city's population on Thursday.

The away side, who have been beaten twice by Arsenal in 2022, will bring 6,500 fans to the ground for the huge clash.

That's less than the city's 53,000 residents, meaning an eighth of all city residents will attend the game.

Although Maguire is not considered fit enough to return straight away after an extended absence, Martinez could play a role.

Amorim said: “Licha is ready. He hasn't stopped playing for too long, so I feel like he's ready.

“It's a different situation with Harry, we need them both, but they're in a different situation.

“They are both training, Harry will be on the field soon too.”