Manchester United duo Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes have been granted extended leave on compassionate grounds following the tragic death of their Portugal team-mate and Liverpool star Diogo Jota. The 28-year-old forward and his brother Andre Silva died in a devastating car crash in Cernadilla, Spain in the early hours of Thursday, July 3.
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- Dalot and Fernandes granted extra leave
- Portuguese duo still mourning Jota's tragic death
- Attended Jota's funeral last week in Portugal
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The United pair attended Jota and his brother's funeral in Portugal on Saturday and remain in mourning. This has prompted the Red Devils to give their Portuguese players an extra week of leave, according to . United stars were supposed to report back to their Carrington training ground this week for pre-season.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Liverpool also delayed their return, which was due to be last Friday. Instead, they will now regroup on Monday. The Merseyside club are scheduled to play their first pre-season match on Sunday, July 13, against Preston at Deepdale.
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WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
A source told : "Bruno and Diogo are heartbroken and in shock after attending the funeral. United’s players have rallied around them. They’ve been offered a week’s extended leave and counselling or support. The pair played with Jota for ten years in the national side and won the Nations League together only a few weeks ago."
- AFP
WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
Ruben Amorim's side will head to Stockholm later this month to play their first pre-season friendly against Leeds United on July 19. They are then scheduled to travel to the U.S. for the second part of their pre-season plans.
