• Manchester United players train at the Astana Arena for their Europa League clash against FC Astana. Reuters
    Manchester United players train at the Astana Arena for their Europa League clash against FC Astana. Reuters
  • Manchester United's Max Taylor will be hoping for a debut against Astana in the Europa League, having won his battle against cancer. Reuters
    Manchester United's Max Taylor will be hoping for a debut against Astana in the Europa League, having won his battle against cancer. Reuters
  • Manchester United's Jesse Lingard trains on the eve of the Eurpa League clash at the Astana Arena. Reuters
    Manchester United's Jesse Lingard trains on the eve of the Eurpa League clash at the Astana Arena. Reuters
  • Manchester United's Tahith Chong during training at the Astana Arena. Reuters
    Manchester United's Tahith Chong during training at the Astana Arena. Reuters
  • Manchester United have called up defender Max Taylor to their Europa League squad 12 months after the 19-year-old underwent chemotherapy for cancer. Reuters
    Manchester United have called up defender Max Taylor to their Europa League squad 12 months after the 19-year-old underwent chemotherapy for cancer. Reuters
  • Manchester United's Jesse Lingard during training in Nur-Sultan on Wednesday. Reuters
    Manchester United's Jesse Lingard during training in Nur-Sultan on Wednesday. Reuters
  • Dylan Levitt during Manchester United's training session at the Astana Arena in Kazakhstan. Reuters
    Dylan Levitt during Manchester United's training session at the Astana Arena in Kazakhstan. Reuters
  • Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during training on Wednesday. Reuters
    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during training on Wednesday. Reuters
  • Manchester United have have already qualified for the knockout phase from Group L with three wins from four matches. Reuters
    Manchester United have have already qualified for the knockout phase from Group L with three wins from four matches. Reuters
  • Manchester United have brought their youngest ever squad to Astana for their Europa League clash. Reuters
    Manchester United have brought their youngest ever squad to Astana for their Europa League clash. Reuters
  • Manchester United squad features as many as 16 academy graduates. Reuters
    Manchester United squad features as many as 16 academy graduates. Reuters

Manchester United's rookie squad trains for Europa League match in Astana - in pictures


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Manchester United have picked one of their youngest ever squads to face Astana in their Europa League match on Thursday.

United have already qualified for the knockout stages and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said it was 'common sense' to rest most of the senior players while giving young members of the squad an opportunity they otherwise might not have received.

Solskjaer's side have 10 points from four games.

"We have done great to qualify after four games and it gives us an opportunity to give game time to lads who need it," Solskjaer said on Wednesday.

"Axel Tuanzebe, Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard... have not played too many games. It's a great chance to give [goalkeeper] Lee Grant his first start for the club.

"It's hard to give young kids games against men... This is a great chance to see them all together. You'll see Ethan Laird, Di'Shon Bernard and Dylan Levitt from the start so you'll definitely get a few debuts."

All eyes will be on defender Max Taylor, 19, who was picked one year after undergoing chemotherapy for testicular cancer.

Above is a picture gallery from Manchester United's training session. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.