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 in a bizarre training session ahead of his Old Trafford debut.

But United fans were excited to finally see some joy return to Carrington - while many begged the new boss to go "easy on Luke Shaw" after he made his long-awaited return from injury at the 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 fitting into his new role at United, as Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire returned to training.

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

The players, who smiled as they entered the gates, then gathered to form a tunnel to create room for their team-mates to run through.

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

The former Sporting manager then lovingly launched at Martinez - who was darting away for cover.

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

It seems as though Amorim was getting his long-term injured players to run through the group as a sort-of initiation to welcome them back into the fold.

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

Shaw played his first United minutes since February against Ipswich after he replaced Jonny Evans at left centre-back on 59 minutes.

Martinez suffered a knock during Ruud van Nistelrooy's final game in charge, and Maguire has been out since leaving Villa Park in a plastic boot when Erik ten Hag was still at the helm.

But fans were quick to spot how close the group have become ahead of United's Europa League tie with Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

One wrote: "Needs to be careful with Luke Shaw, could put him out for the rest of the season with those shoves 🤣."

A second said: "I’m definitely feeling he’s going to bond the squad stronger here."

Another added: "Amorim’s more connected with the players due to 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."

One more wrote: "It's heartwarming to watch."

United will welcome 12 per cent of an entire town's population on Thursday.

The away side, who were beaten twice by Arsenal in 2022, are bringing 6,500 fans to the ground for the huge clash.

That is out of the town's 53,000 population, meaning one eighth of everyone living there will be attending the match.

While Maguire isn't considered fit enough to get straight back into playing after a longer absence, Martinez could feature.

Amorim said: "Licha is ready. He didn't stop playing for too much time so I feel he is ready.

"It is a different situation with Harry, we need them both but they are in a different situation.

"They are both training, Harry soon will be on the pitch also."