Manchester United 'book behind-closed-doors friendly with INEOS sister club' during international break

Per reports from The Telegraph, INEOS-owned Lausanne will face United this week as both clubs look to keep players fit and sharp during this three-week international break.The logistics of the match were easy to organise given the clubs’ shared ownership. It is not clear where the match will be played, though the report adds most Premier League sides have opted to stay in the UK during this international break rather than hold warm-weather training camps.Aston Villa are also said to be holding a training ground friendly during this extended international break, facing Southampton. Such matches are seen as preferable to regular training sessions.The extended September/October international break, used for the first time this year, has presented club’s with a tricky challenge as they look to keep their players match fit.The match against Lausanne could give Matthijs de Ligt an opportunity to test the waters of competitive football as he nears a return to the pitch after nearly a year on the sidelines. He suffered a nebulous back injury last November and underwent surgery over the summer.Lausanne-Sport sit dead last in the Swiss Super League, having won just one of their nine matches so far this season. Their squad features ex-Man United star Tyler Fredricson, who left Old Trafford for Switzerland in July, as well as United loanee Sekou Kone. Lucas Bervall’s younger brother, Theo, also plies his trade there.It has been a difficult international break for United so far, with a number of players coming up with new injuries.Bruno Fernandes, who was playing through a niggling issue for three weeks before the international break, was left out of Portugal’s squad to face Norway on Sunday night, while Patrick Dorgu was forced off for Denmark with an apparent hamstring injury while facing Wales. He has returned to Carrington to be assessed.Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo made themselves unavailable for England duty, citing injuries.