Jose Mourinho has been pondering the new season as football fans prepare to turn their full attention back to the Premier League in the coming days.
The Manchester United boss welcomed back his squad earlier this week and after Saturday's third-place playoff only has one player still in action in Russia, Paul Pogba, who will hope to lead France to World Cup glory against Croatia on Sunday.
And as Mourinho awaits the return of the midfielder, whose future at Old Trafford has been tossed into the realm of uncertainty of late, he has been considering his options as he looks to overthrow champions and rivals Manchester City in the coming season.
Jose Mourinho is pictured in Manchester as he gets back to work ahead of the new season
Mourinho's Manchester United side begin their pre-season matches on July 19
United finished second last season, but were well adrift of Pep Guardiola's champions who achieved a memorable 100 points and finish 19 clear of Mourinho's men.
The 55-year-old was pictured in Manchester leaving the Raddisson Blu Hotel on Saturday afternoon as he strolled through the city.
Mourinho returned to his place of residence of the Lowry Hotel on Friday and will be plotting his preferred squad for the season to come as he looks ahead to their pre-season schedule.
The United boss is preparing to mount a challenge on bitter rivals Manchester City next season
United have six matches standing between them and their opening game of the season - against Leicester City at Old Trafford on August 11.
A tour of the US is where the Red Devils begin and kick off against Club America on July 19, before facing San Jose three days later.
From there, United face AC Milan, rivals Liverpool and Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup within the space of six days. A trip to the Germany and the Allianz Arena to face Bayern Munich concludes their pre-season activities.
Mourinho has six friendlies to prepare for before the season begins on August 11
UNITED'S PRE-SEASON
July 20: Club America (Phoenix Stadium, Arizona) 3am
July 23: San Jose Earthquakes, Levi's Stadium, California) Midnight
July 26: AC Milan (International Champions Cup - Pasadena Rose Bowl, California) 4am
July 28: Liverpool (International Champions Cup - Michigan Stadium, Michigan) 10pm
August 1: Real Madrid (International Champions Cup - Hard Rock Stadium, Florida) 1am
August 5: Bayern Munich (Allianz Arena) 7.15pm
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