“I hope it helps to take Manchester United where Manchester United should go.”
The words of Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe while cutting the ribbon to reopen the training facilities of their men.
It marks the conclusion of a year of work at Carrington, which has been disturbing to say the least.
The Domino effect on the men's and women's teams was far from ideal, but the important news for United is that the redevelopment has now ended and important, on time and within the budget prior to the new season.
United collaborated with Foster + Partners to lead the redesign of Carrington – the same company that is responsible for designing their ambitious stadium of 100,000 capacity.
When Ratcliffe and Ineos arrived in United for the first time 18 months ago, one of their first major decisions to renew and invest in Carrington, to their image, as the beating heart of the club.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo famous the deteriorating facilities of the club shouted in 2022, perhaps in retrospect, his actions, rightly or wrong, had an eternal impact that led to the improvement of Carrington.
Diogo Dalot, one of the longest serving players at United Now, told Sky Sports News after the reopening: “Getting people united and creating this dynamic between each other where we fight every day for each other brings that message.”
“It sends a message that you play for the largest club in the world.”
United believes that after completing this enormous renovation that their facilities are back to the best in the classroom compared to their rivals – a well -known feeling when Carrington was first opened in 2000.
Dalot was pretty happy with the renewed facilities of the players, but how are they really fun?
Height and underwater treadmills
United goalkeeper Tom Heaton described the improved facilities as a 'stream' for the players. I didn't quite know what he meant until I had a look myself, and actually it was very logical.
From the ground floor you immediately step into the gym of the players – this was one of the few aspects of the building relatively untouched.
However, while you walk to the Active Recovery Rooms, you will start to see years of changes that will benefit from United players for the coming years.
A new room at a great height with several bicycles and rowing machines is installed – a room in which the levels of temperature, humidity and more can be changed for a group of players to train in. This room in Carrington is considered one of the largest of its kind in Elite Sport.
Then in the swimming pool area. Sauna and steam rooms have been improved and enlarged, also with new additions, such as a small swimming pool with an underwater treadmill. The treadmill can be raised up and down to the right height to help those who need it to rehabilitate due to injury.
The “power” of the aforementioned layout that is called, was at the moment much more logical, because you really feel that everything is one, meaningful order of facilities for these players with their gym and repair work – this will be more logical while I go through … probably.
Smart urinals and a new treatment room
While we continue with the Tour, we will of course find us in a long, clear corridor with the changing rooms and player services after the gym.
However, just for you to go to the first team – interesting enough – there is a door with the text 'U23'. This is seen as the dressing room 'rising talent' – a room that breaks through to the first team and gives them a taste of what it is like to be in the first team building.
The will of Chido Obi and Sekou Kone are a few names that are in mind that can currently use that room while they leave their mark on the first team.
In the first team of the dressing room we go – more spacious and clearer than its predecessor – with touch screens on the space of each player to continue their routine.
One of the more strange facts that we have learned is that the changing rooms are that they … 'Smart Urinals' include – these help with whether a player is dried out and how much liquid they need to return to their ideal hydration levels.
A Ruben Amorim aspect hopes that his players will not see too often, is the new and improved treatment room. United sees this as a huge improvement in the previous edition, especially after feedback from both former and current players.
The room is more spacious and also has more natural light for those who recover from their injuries, with a view everywhere in Carrington.
The improved medical facilities of United will be warmly welcomed, especially now that they have an MRI, CT and a full body scanner in their arsenal.
The entire body scanner – the recent addition – can find out in seven minutes about the body composition of a player.
With these extra and improved facilities, United also hopes that players who collect each injuries will be more motivated to get a fitness at Carrington instead of carrying out their rehabilitation abroad.
Barber, F1 Simulator and my personal favorite …
While we are going up our way, we pass the trophies of the past of United, the Premier League, the Champions League, it continues – a memory of the past but also the goals for the future, no matter how dense or distance.
We are in the lounge and the kitchen of the new player. At first glance it is pretty amazing. Clear and open – Look the redesigned Carrington, it is understandable why the players have been enthusiastic about this redevelopment.
On one side of the lounge there are two rooms. One is a barber shop – where players can get to get their new cut, the need for a football player!
In addition to that, an F1 simulator, which also went reasonably well.
While we continue along the open floor spaces, we see where Amorim and his employees are located. Just in the hall of the recruitment team of Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell. With many of the Old Trafford staff who move to the training field in the coming months, there is a clear message here: the club wants this to be a new chapter for United with his heart in Carrington.
My personal favorite, for obvious reasons – a new press conference space! In the same building, the first team will perform most of their things – this small change will take a shorter walk for Amorim to get through and answer the difficult questions every week.
Although United has no European football to offer this season, this new room is UEFA compatible and can organize future news conferences of Champions League instead of constantly switching back to Old Trafford.