Manchester United squad fly out to Germany ahead of Europa League quarter-final against Copenhagen

The Manchester United squad have flown out to Germany ahead of the start of the Europa League final eight tournament on Monday. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side face FC Copenhagen in their one-legged quarter-final tomorrow night, on neutral territory at the RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne.

David de Gea posted a photo on his Instagram story on Sunday morning of himself, Juan Mata, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot in the plane wearing facemasks, at the start of the journey they hope culminates in lifting the trophy on August 21. 

David de Gea took a selfie on the plane to Germany with Manchester United team-mates Juan Mata (bottom-left), Bruno Fernandes (top-left) and Diogo Dalot (top-right)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side face a 13-day lockdown should they progress in the Europa League

As Sportsmail reported on Friday, the United squad are potentially facing a 13-day lockdown in Germany in-between games, should they progress all the way to the final. 

United were surprised to discover that UEFA have allocated them a training ground at the 12,000-seater Sudstadion, home to fourth-tier outfit Fortuna Koln, or a third division alternative if they go through.

They were hoping to be given access to facilities at a Bundesliga club, but were told that they are all being used in preparation for the start of the new German season next month.

The Red Devils will be training at Fortuna Koln’s Sudstadion should they beat Copenhagen 

The rules will be the same for every team, with Bayer Leverkusen forced to abandon their state-of-the-art complex and train 20 miles away in Dusseldorf before facing Inter Milan there on Monday.

It’s understood that the four-star hotel booked for United is also some way below their usual standards for European trips.

Solskjaer had preferred to fly in and out of Germany for the tournament and work with his squad at Carrington as usual. 

‘There’s been a discussion at a higher level than me as to how the tournament will pan out,’ said the United boss earlier this week.

‘You could look at it as just one game and you travel to an away game, but at the moment it looks like we’re staying for the tournament.’ 

Victory over Copenhagen on Monday would set up a semi-final against the winner of Wolves and Sevilla at the same venue next weekend.

United last won the competition in 2017, beating Ajax 2-0 in the final in Jose Mourinho’s first season at the club.