Golf, clay pigeon shooting and head tennis - Man Utd's Irish trip

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Manchester United returned home from their four-day trip to the Republic of Ireland hoping the change of scenery can propel them into the Champions League.

A plan for a mid-season trip had been known for a long time. No-one was expecting it to be to Maynooth, 20 miles outside Dublin.

However, with lingering hopes of a trip to Saudi Arabia extinguished by the current conflict in the Middle East, Michael Carrick took his squad to the impressive Carton House complex, 20 miles outside Dublin.

The visit helped promote a planned pre-season game with Leeds on 12 August.

However, it also served to bring Carrick and his squad together in the final stages of a 24-day break between the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth and Monday's Premier League game with Leeds at Old Trafford.

Carrick presided over what sources say were "three big training sessions" and long stints in the gym.

The general mood, it is said, is upbeat, with the return from injury of Lisandro Martinez viewed as particularly important, both because of the intensity the Argentina defender brings to training, but also as Harry Maguire's absence from the Leeds game due to suspension coupled with Matthijs de Ligt's long-standing back problem, leaves Carrick short of experienced central defenders.

It hasn't all been about football though.

Players have enjoyed golf and clay-pigeon shooting on the thousand-acre site, while it is estimated at least 3,000 fans turned up on Wednesday to get autographs and selfies.

Possibly the most long-lasting element of the trip were the competitive head tennis sessions though.

The champions? Skipper Bruno and striker Matheus Cunha.