Manchester United will be going through a new routine prior to kick-off this season, starting with Sunday’s Premier League opener against Arsenal.
When Erik ten Hag was in charge, he insisted on the players arriving at Old Trafford four hours before kick-off. Prior to the Dutchman’s tenure, United players often stayed at a hotel the night before.
But now, following the revamp of Carrington, Ruben Amorim wants his players to meet up at the club’s training ground, and then reach the Theatre of Dreams only two hours before kick-off.
Amorim explained that following the revamp of the training ground, the players now have all the facilities to prepare in the best way possible for games.
Change in routine
He also did not want the momentum of a match to fizzle out due to arriving four hours before. Players will now have the optimum time to sign autographs, feel closer to the fans, before stepping onto the field.
“I always had the feeling that we arrive at Old Trafford and Old Trafford must be the centre of the game – but we cannot spend four hours there waiting for the game,” the Portuguese tactician was quoted as saying by The Sun.
“And I feel with these facilities we can be here, preparing for the game away from Old Trafford and when we arrive at Old Trafford, we have to feel the fans and then go directly to the game, not killing the momentum of the connection with our fans.
Amorim’s explanation
“We know that we have a lot of people waiting there for us, to be with the players and to sign autographs. We will try to do the same. So, it’s going to be the same experience for the fans.
“But for us it’s going to be better because we are going to feel, nearer the game, the momentum with the fans and we will spend less time in there.”
Whether this new pre-match routine will bear fruit remains to be seen.
Fans will be hoping for a lot more from the players this season, after the disappointment of the previous campaign.
Quite a few stars have pointed out how eager they are to right the wrongs of the 24/25 season. Time for talk is over. Now for action!
Feature image Patrick McDermott via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
