Manchester United may be in the middle of an important pre-season training camp but even they could not help but get swept up in the Game of Thrones hype that is currently gripping the globe.

The popular television series will return to British screens for a seventh series on Monday evening and, to celebrate, the Manchester United team welcomed two of its more modest stars to their training base at UCLA.

John Bradley-West, who plays the cult hero Samwell Tarly, tagged along with Joe Dempsie, whose character Gendry is set to return to the fold after a four-year absence.

The pair were seen conversing with manager Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba while they were also given the chance to hold the Europa League trophy, which Manchester United claimed last season.

Manchester United fans will have been pleased to see Bradley-West sporting an away shirt, declaring his allegiances to the Old Trafford outfit and adding to their long list of celebrity supporters.

Comedian Patrick Kielty – another member of that list – also stopped by for an impromptu appearance and it seems he and Mourinho struck up a close friendship. The pair were photographed sharing a laugh and a hug ahead of a light training session.

Soon after, the Special One was back dictating the drills for his Manchester United players ahead of their second pre-season friendly against Real Salt Lake City, which takes place on Tuesday.

Mourinho will be looking for improvements from his players following their 5-2 win over LA Galaxy, which was slightly marred by the concession of two late goals as well as a horror miss from new signing Romelu Lukaku.

Following the game against the MLS outfit, United will turn their sights to bigger targets with friendly fixtures against Manchester City and European champions Real Madrid set for later this week.