Man Utd make unusual change to travel plans for 8pm Brentford clash in desperate bid to have crocked stars available

MANCHESTER UNITED have made the rare decision to travel to an away match on the day of the game.

United face Brentford at 8pm tonight and would usually fly into the capital a day before kick off.

Eamonn and James Clarke

Rasmus Hojlund smiles as he makes his way[/caption]

Eamonn and James Clarke

Harry Maguire made the trip[/caption]

Eamonn and James Clarke

As did the returning Lisandro Martinez[/caption]

Eamonn and James Clarke

Bruno Fernandes grabbed a morning coffee[/caption]

But the club decided to travel just hours before the match is due to start.

Capitalising on the late kick off time, it allows United’s crocked stars extra time to recover from injury or illness.

Newly-capped England international Kobbie Mainoo missed training on Thursday as he was unwell but returned to Carrington on Friday.

United usually tell unwell players to stay away from the first team to reduce the risk of a virus spreading.

Manager Erik ten Hag said on Friday: “Yesterday he skipped training because he was ill. I don’t know (if he will be fit for Brentford).

“We hope. Today he is there (in training), not fully recovered but we still have many hours before tomorrow with kick-off at 8pm.”

The Dutchman was givena huge boost by Lisandro Martinez, who is poised to return for the first time in eight weeks after being sidelined with a medial collateral ligament.

Casemiro is back doing outdoor training after missing the FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool with a hamstring injury.

Ten Hag suggested the Brazilian would return to the squad against Brentford.

Eamonn and James Clarke

Alejandro Garnacho was snapped making his way[/caption]

Eamonn and James Clarke

Mason Mount was all smiles in Man Utd gear[/caption]

Eamonn and James Clarke

Raphael Varane made his way[/caption]

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United are due to make a late assessment on Jonny Evans’ fitness after the centre-back picked up a knock in recent weeks.

Harry Maguire also sustained injury on international duty with England and remains a doubt for the Brentford clash, even though he did travel0

It was not clear though whether Mainoo was on the plane to London, with doubts remaining over his availability.