RUBEN AMORIM was caught playfully SLAPPING Manchester United players in a bizarre training session ahead of his Old Trafford debut.

But United fans were excited to finally see some joy return to Carrington – while many begged the new boss to go “easy on Luke Shaw” after he made his long-awaited return from injury at the weekend.

Ruben Amorim was spotted joking around with his players on Wednesday

Fans have hailed the carnage as team bonding

After a disappointing 1-1 draw at Ipswich, Amorim told Sky Sports on Sunday: “I just want to spend time with my players.”

And the Portuguese tactician is clearly fitting into his new role at United, as Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire returned to training.

Amorim and his coaching staff were waiting for his first team squad to arrive on the training pitches in the winter cold on Wednesday.

The players, who smiled as they entered the gates, then gathered to form a tunnel to create room for their team-mates to run through.

The group could be seen laughing and joking before Amorim turned to push Kobbie Mainoo backwards.

The former Sporting manager then lovingly launched at Martinez – who was darting away for cover.

A beaming Shaw appeared to joke with his new boss before Amorim lovingly urged him off to join Martinez at the start of the line.

It seems as though Amorim was getting his long-term injured players to run through the group as a sort-of initiation to welcome them back into the fold.

Amorim pushes Luke Shaw

Martinez, Shaw, Maguire and a host of players began running through the man-made tunnel as their team-mates in line jokingly slapped them

Shaw played his first United minutes since February against Ipswich after he replaced Jonny Evans at left centre-back on 59 minutes.

Martinez suffered a knock during Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final game in charge, and Maguire has been out since leaving Villa Park in a plastic boot when Erik ten Hag was still at the helm.

But fans were quick to spot how close the group have become ahead of United’s Europa League tie with Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

One wrote: “Needs to be careful with Luke Shaw, could put him out for the rest of the season with those shoves 🤣.”

A second said: “I’m definitely feeling he’s going to bond the squad stronger here.”

Another added: “Amorim’s more connected with the players due to his younger age.”

While a fourth wrote: “Stop pushing Shaw, he’s gonna get hurt!🤣🤣”

A fifth replied: “This club needs more chemistry, and he is trying to build it.”

One more wrote: “It’s heartwarming to watch.”

United will welcome 12 per cent of an entire town’s population on Thursday.

For the crucial match, the visiting team, who lost twice to Arsenal in 2022, is expecting 6,500 spectators.

Out of the 53,000 residents of the town, that means that one in eight of them will be at the game.

Martinez might play, but Maguire isn’t thought to be well enough to return to action right away following a lengthy break.

Amorim said: “Licha is ready. He didn’t stop playing for too much time so I feel he is ready.

“It is a different situation with Harry, we need them both but they are in a different situation.

“They are both training, Harry soon will be on the pitch also.”