Man Utd ‘Bomb Squad’ to be kept away from team-mates as squad back Ruben Amorim’s hardline approach

MANCHESTER UNITED outcasts Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia are to be exiled.

The banished quartet will be kept away from the first-team when they return from the US next week.

The four-man ‘Bomb Squad’ will be allowed to continue using the facilities at the club’s Carrington training ground.

But they will be given a “different schedule” to their team-mates to keep them separate.

Sources said the club discussed expelling them to join the U21s but ruled it out amid fears of a legal protest.

One said: “They will train together as a group but on a different schedule to the first-team.

“The first-team will train in the morning. They will train in the afternoon.”

The humiliating move comes after they were left at home for the pre-season tour of the US.

They were also told by hardline Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim to use the time to find a new club.

Another source with knowledge of the situation said: “Their days at United are numbered.

“As such, it would be inappropriate for them to remain around the first-team.

“When the squad returns to Carrington next week to continue their pre-season training they will be kept away from their former team-mates.

“Ruben is determined to foster a new culture at Old Trafford.

“The players are all on board and he wants no distractions as they close in on the start of the new season.

“He wants to create an intimate team bond.”

Amorim is under a huge amount of pressure to deliver after a disastrous season saw them finish 15th – their worst season since they were relegated in the 1973-74 campaign.

Their misery was compounded by the 1-0 defeat in the Europa League final to Tottenham.

United’s left-back Luke Shaw said he backed Amorim’s hardline stance to clean things up after branding the dressing room “toxic”.

Shaw, 30, admitted: “It’s not hard to see from the outside what it’s been like.

“A lot of the time I’ve been here over the last few years it’s been extremely negative.

“It can be quite toxic, the environment, it’s not healthy at all.”

The Red Devils lost their way under interim boss Ralf Rangnick and then Erik ten Hag, before the arrival of Amorim in November last year.

Shaw said none of the players had been good enough.

And in a veiled swipe at the four outcasts he added: “But there are no stragglers in this group any more.

“That’s down to Ruben’s mentality, his demands. Everyone has to put the team first.

“He’s made that very clear and he’s picking players on who he feels will be best for the team.”

Amorim’s rebuilding work at Old Trafford has already seen the arrival of £62.5million signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

Forward Bryan Mbeumo also joined from Brentford in a deal that could be worth up to £71million.

But United are still not done in the transfer market and have been linked heavily with a move for £70million-rated ace Benjamin Sesko, 22, from RB Leipzig.

Manchester United opened talks with their priority No9 after Aston Villa insisted Ollie Watkins was not for sale.

United director of recruitment Christopher Vivell and negotiator Matt Hargreaves have flown to Germany in a bid to secure a deal for 6ft 5in Slovenian Sesko.

The club wants to generate more funds by selling the ‘Bomb Squad’.

Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on a season-long loan after falling out of favour.

And Argentine winger Garnacho, 20, is already the subject of a £45million move to Napoli.

United want £70m for Garnacho but are yet to receive an offer.

Borussia Dortmund are set to offer Sancho the chance of a third spell at the club.

Juventus had appeared the most likely destination, while Serie A champions Napoli have also stepped up their interest.

But Dortmund coach Niko Kovac is now pressing for a £17m swoop for a player who made his name with them.

United kick-off the new Premier League season with a nightmare home tie against Arsenal on August 17.

And Amorim is determined the players must be ready – insisting: “We have to use every minute in every week of the pre-season… we need to arrive in shape.

“It’s the only way to take action to be better next season.

“They know, everyone knows that the next year is going to be massive for everybody.”

The Red Devils take on Everton on Sunday in their last US Summer Series match before flying home.