Erik ten Hag has welcomed his Manchester United players back to training, with the Premier League side preparing for a paid of friendlies before they return to competitive action.
A number of United's squad are still on World Cup duty, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw among those to start for England in their victory over Senegal in the round of 16. Others didn't make it to Qatar, though, either because their country didn't qualify or they were not selected.
Ten Hag's squad have travelled to Spain for a pair of friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis. It will give the manager a chance to keep his senior players fresh, while also allowing him to look more closely at academy talents ahead of the EFL Cup last-16 tie against Burnley on December 21.
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1. No sign of Sancho
Jadon Sancho isn't part of England's squad in Qatar, but he also wasn't part of United's warm weather training camp in Jerez. Ten Hag instead opted to send the former Borussia Dortmund man to the Netherlands, where he will undergo an individual training programme.
Sancho appeared to have found some form under Ten Hag at the start of the season, but it has not lasted. Ten Hag is said to have demanded more of the wide man, who has seen summer signing Antony outshine him in the league.
United's next league match comes at home to Nottingham Forest shortly after Christmas, with matches against Wolves and Bournemouth to follow. Sancho will want to prove himself to the boss with a view to featuring in all three.
2. Youth Cup stars involved
United's Youth Cup triumph last season was a notable one, with Forest beaten 3-1 in the final. Alejandro Garnacho was the match-winner, and he has already made his mark on the first team, but others have been made to wait.
Midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Dan Gore were spotted with the senior stars in Jerez. Spanish right-back Marc Jurado was also involved, as was Maxi Oyedele, the 17-year-old who came off the bench in that game.
A handful of academy talents were involved in the last round of the EFL Cup, with Garnacho and Shola Shoretire both named on the bench. This tour has involved names who we might well be hearing more about over the coming months and years.
3. De Gea reminded of competition
The cup victory against Aston Villa also provided a debut for Martin Dubravka. The Slovakian goalkeeper has struggled with injury since joining from Newcastle United at the end of the summer transfer window, but had been on the bench for other games before making his bow.
We have seen the good and the bad from first choice goalkeeper David de Gea this term. The Spaniard has been out of favour at international level, not even making the squad for the World Cup under Luis Enrique, so he too has been involved for Ten Hag this month.
United are still active in four competitions, with a Europa League play-off against Barcelona on the horizon in February. Proper competition for places surely won't hurt.
4. Williams back in the mix
One name which Man Utd fans haven't heard much lately is that of Brandon Williams. Injury kept the full-back out of the club's pre-season tour, though he pledged to come back stronger.
The academy graduate has yet to feature this season, though he returned to training before the World Cup. A January move could yet be on the cards, with Middlesbrough - managed by former Man Utd coach Michael Carrick - among the destinations mooted.
Another full-back involved in Spain was Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The former Crystal Palace man has been involved slightly more than Williams, but not by a lot - his late outing against Liverpool in August was his only action this term.
5. Garnacho leading next generation
One photo which caught the eye saw Garnacho with his arm around team-mate Charlie McNeill. Young striker McNeill has been a regular in the EFL Trophy this term, scoring in each of his first three games in the competition, but is still waiting for his first senior minutes.
The upcoming games against Spanish opposition will give Ten Hag a sense of how his youngsters can adapt in line-ups also including more experienced figures such as Scott McTominay, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Elanga. McNeill isn't the only one either, with Mainoo, Gore and Charlie Savage also pushing for minutes.
Stockport-born midfielder Mainoo made a Premier League matchday squad for the first time in October. He didn't make it onto the pitch for the draw with Newcastle, but he'll hope it's just a matter of time before he is handed a league bow.
