They are viewed as two of England’s most promising talents, and Manchester United pair Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have revealed their relationship is just as healthy off the field.
The vibrant double-act were spotted working on their handshake tekkers on the eve of United’s intriguing visit to face Chelsea on Sunday, in Jose Mourinho’s eagerly-anticipated return to Stamford Bridge.
Rashford and Lingard were part of United’s travelling party that took their customary train from Stockport the day before a match in London, and the pair will hope to showcase their rehearsed greeting if either get on the scoresheet on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford (left) and Jesse Lingard head south to London
The exciting young talents have struck up a strong relationship on and off the pitch
Rashford and Lingard have been perfecting their handshake to be used for a goal celebration
The pair will hope to be all smiles come full-time when the Red Devils face Chelsea
Paul Pogba celebrates one of his goals against Fenerbahce in style with Lingard on Thursday
Paul Pogba brought the ‘dab celebration’ with him to England in the summer and the sharp, synchronised handshake is the latest in his repertoire of party tricks.
The France star – who scored twice in United’s 4-1 win over Fenerbahce on Thursday – was among the players dressed in club tracksuits at the train station.
The former Juventus midfielder produced his best performance in a United shirt in that Europa League victory at Old Trafford over the Turkish side, and he looked every bit an £89million player in a beige cap and the de rigueur Louis Vuitton holdall.
The 23-year-old isn’t adverse to showing off his extravagant personality did just that by completing his look with an eye-catching gold rucksack. The 24-carat gold-plated MCM Dual Stark bag is worth £650.
And just before hours kick-off at Stamford Bridge, he tweeted on Sunday morning a rallying cry to his United team-mates.
‘Let’s show how we’re United today,’ he tweeted. ‘Chelsea x Man Utd @ManUtd #mufc.’
Midfielder Paul Pogba will be determined to build on his excellent display against Fenerbahce
Pogba took to Twitter on Sunday morning, just hours before United’s clash against Chelsea
United boss Jose Mourinho has a big day on Sunday when he returns to face Chelsea
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is all smiles as he waits for the train to arrive at Stockport station
All eyes with be on Mourinho, however, with the Portuguese preparing to take his place in the away dug-out for only the second time at Chelsea, six-and-a-half years after the first – Inter Milan’s Champions League victory in west London in March 2010.
The 53-year-old produced a defiant rebuke of what he perceived to be unwarranted criticism of his side’s performance in the 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Monday, and it remains to be seen if he opts to deploy similar tactics at the home of the Blues.
Mourinho decided to play Wayne Rooney from the start in the victory against Fenerbahce, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic the man to miss out after the charismatic Swede went a fourth Premier League game without a goal.
Ibrahimovic, who looked in relaxed mood as he waited to board the private train, is likely to return to the starting line up against Antonio Conte’s side despite Rooney’s two assists.
United opted to take a train down to London on the eve of their Premier League with Watford earlier in the season, but their plans to keep the players travel-free on match day made no difference as the side were beaten 3-1 at Vicarage Road.
