Fernandes and De Gea delight Man United fans during training in Perth - in pictures

Manchester United squad take part in open training session in front of hundred of supporters at the WACA before signing autographs

Manchester United midfielder Brun Fernandes, left, talks to teammate Anthony Martial during a training session in Perth on July 21, 2022, ahead of their tour match against Aston Villa. AFP

Manchester United players Bruno Fernandes, left, and Fred, centre, listen to the coaches during a training session in Pert. AFP

Manchester United player Zidane Iqbal dribbles the bal. AFP

Manchester United fans brave the rainy conditions to watch an open training session in Perth on July 21, 2022, ahead of the tour match against Aston Villa. AFP

Players warm up during a Manchester United training session at the WACA on July 21, 2022 in Perth, Australia. Getty Images

Manchester United player Alex Telles walks onto the pitch. AFP

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. AFP

Players warm up during a Manchester United training session at the WACA on July 21, 2022 in Perth, Australia. Getty Images

David de Gea and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United talk during a training session at the WACA. Getty Images

Fans show their support during a Manchester United training session at the WACA on July 21, 2022 in Perth, Australia. Getty Images

Fred of Manchester United signs autographs. Getty Images

Diogo Dalot of Manchester United. Getty Images

Victor Lindelof of Manchester United in action. Getty Images

Fans show their support during a Manchester United training session at the WACA. Getty Images

Tyrell Malacia of Manchester United. Getty Images

Fans show their support during a Manchester United training session at the WACA on July 21, 2022 in Perth, Australia. Getty Images

Diogo Dalot of Manchester United in action. Getty Images

Supporters look to get an autograph from Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United. Getty Images

Anthony Elanga of Manchester United in action. Getty Images

Harry Maguire of Manchester United greets a fan during a Manchester United training session at the WACA. Getty Images

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United signs autographs. Getty Images

Fans show their support during a Manchester United training session at the WACA. Getty Images

Tahith Chong of Manchester United looks on during a training session at the WACA. Getty Images

David de Gea of Manchester United. Getty Images

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United. Getty Images

David de Gea of Manchester United in action during a training session at the WACA. Getty Images

Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United signs autographs. Getty Images

General views during a Manchester United training session at the WACA on July 21, 2022 in Perth, Australia. Getty Images

David de Gea of Manchester United signs autographs. Getty Images

Fans show their support during a Manchester United training session at the WACA. Getty Images

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes talks to manager Erik ten Hag. AFP

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford balances the ball on his arms during a training session in Perth. AFP

Manchester United players including Bruno Fernandes, David de Gea and Fred took part in an open training session in front of hundreds of supporters at Perth's WACA cricket ground ahead of Saturday's pre-season friendly against Aston Villa.

The trio and the rest of the United squad happily signed autographs and posed for pictures with adoring fans after being put through their paces by new manager Erik ten Hag and his coaches.

On Wednesday, Portugal playmaker Fernandes told reporters he welcomed Ten Hag's uncompromising attitude towards punctuality, saying the Premier League club had lacked discipline prior to the Dutchman's arrival.

Ten Hag was appointed manager in May, replacing interim coach Ralf Rangnick, and Fernandes said he was pushing United's players to improve their timekeeping from the outset.

"We missed that for a while and discipline is important," Fernandes said. "Discipline is not only the way you play, the position that you have, what you have to do; it's also off the pitch.

"Don't be late for the meetings. Don't be late for the meals. That's really important, because if everyone is on time and someone comes late, he should be punished.

"That's really good that he's doing that [fining players for being late] and amazing, because I like to be on time, so I won't have problems with that."

Fernandes added that he was not sure of his United and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo's future, which has become the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks.

Ronaldo, 37, reportedly told the club earlier this month he wants to leave Old Trafford to play Champions League football. The former Real Madrid striker missed the Thailand leg of United's pre-season tour, citing family issues, with Ten Hag previously stating the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was not for sale.

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"I don't know what Cristiano said to the club, to the manager, but we have to respect his space," Fernandes said.

"Cristiano was our top scorer last season; he added goals. But it's not on me; it's the club that has to make the choices and Cristiano makes his own. I don't know what's going on in his head, if he wants to leave."

United have enjoyed a perfect start to Ten Hag's tenure, recording wins over Premier League rivals Liverpool and Crystal Palace as well as Australian side Melbourne Victory.

United, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season, open the new league campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7.

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