Manchester United likes to take various media and other guests behind the scenes on their Carrington Training Ground HQ every few years. They always do this with a sense of pride.
Chief Executive Ed Woodward once enthusiastically pointed to a bank with screens in the recruitment department, in which it was explained that the worldwide data had offered 804 options for a new right back and a £ 50 million edition about Aaron-Wan Bissaka had concluded as the best deal.
After Woodward had left, the director of Football John Murtough Tourhost was in 2023. He no longer made the club in the transfer market and introduced long -term negotiations with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy for Harry Kane. Instead, they signed Rasmus Hojlund for £ 72 million.
Given that recent history, it was a somewhat cynical group of hacks that gathered in Carrington on Friday when United rolled out the red carpet to show off a £ 50 million renovation that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes that a 'winning culture' will activate in the largest club of English football.
We will probably not have the final answer for a while. Leicester City thinks they have the best training area in Europe, but it has not done much good to them with two relegations in the past three seasons.
But to be honest, United has admired their business admirably that a happy workplace will switch to results on the field.
Make no mistake, there are many bells and whistles in the new Carrington. Underwater treadmills, F1 simulator games, sleeping mods, live performance follow in the gym, smart urinals, a hairdressing and menu options to make a five-star restaurant jealous. A padel court will soon be at the request of the players.
Space has been created so that staff who previously worked at Old Trafford can now be based in Carrington. Movers include BIG-Hitters such as CEO Omar Bercrada and figures in the commercial department. The intention is to make the club feel united as his name suggested.
What made this tour felt different from others, and should give confidence to fans that a sincere rebuild is possible, is that the hierarchy has liked to have been able to control experts and has allowed itself to be advised to be advised instead of pretending that he already knows.
Sir Jim cut the ribbon and even joked about listening to so many suggestions from manager Ruben Amorim about what the new place should look like. Amorim laughed, somewhat nervous, but he will be happy that his input was taken into account.
Undoubtedly the most important voice during the Tour was that of Patrick Campbell, a senior architect who worked for the renowned Sir Norman Foster.
Architects love Licht and Campbell repeatedly emphasized the need to make Carrington – different compared to a gloomy dungeon or hospital – a brighter, more cheerful place to work every day.
The canteen area with gigantic windows with a view of the training fields and a hairdressing store in the corner where players can invite their personal hairdresser's, is a space that players want to stay after the training.
That extra time chatting in comfort or playing F1 chair can be important for building team spirit. Remember that Luke Shaw complained about the American tour that the culture has been 'toxic' in recent seasons.
Berrada will have seen a holistic approach in Manchester City. To this end, the new United treatment room has changed location, so that injured players are not tucked away and ignored.
They now have a space that is large enough to work together on their rehabilitation. They can also see the training fields, both offer extra motivation to get fit, but also give a feeling in the meantime that they are still part of the family.
Likewise, the dressing room is no longer under 23 in a separate building, but along the corridor of the first team. Enough to give the feeling to be part of the same firmament.
There are enough examples of United to remember the current players – including summer signs Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha with Benjamin Sesko because of following who they represent.
Sir Alex Ferguson unveiled a plaque through the main entrance in honor of receptionist Kath Phipps who greeted visitors 55 years before her death last year. He then talked animated on a couch in the lounge on the first floor with his old Captain Bryan Robson-Lijke Lekkerlek to be back.
The spiral staircase that connects the ground floor on the first floor is flanked by a few trophies from United and a bust of Sir Matt Busby, the manager who made it possible. No one, regardless of age, will be able to walk up or down all day without looking at them.
The question of £ 50 million is of course whether it will ultimately make some difference for United's ambitions to first return to the Champions League and then win their first Premier League title since Fergie left in 2013.
Of all the players in United's books, the 39-year-old goalkeeper of the third choice is probably the best qualified to say.
He started at the club of 11 years and became Pro when United moved to Carrington for the first time in 2000. He was part of the team who won the Champions League under Ferguson in 2008 before he promoted his career as the first choice with Burnley and Aston Villa, recurring to Old Trafford in 2001.
“It felt like a crucial moment when we moved to Carrington. They were incredible facilities for that time, but the game evolves, “says Heaton. 'By the end it was not entirely what we wanted.
'We left the main building last season, so that they could rebuild and walk back through the door, we were all blown away. We have had the opportunity to have world -class facilities.
'It is true that people make a building and produce players on the field results. But the building can offer help and stability to offer those versions and I think everyone is enthusiastic. '
United is nothing, if not ambitious. Sir Jim compared the club brand with Coca-Cola and Apple while presenting the new facility. The new media center was designed to meet UEFA specifications to keep Champions League press conferences, although the team ended 15th last season.
It was only early last year that Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 27.7% share in United. While the billionaire has large schemes ahead, such as making Old Trafford De Wembley van het Noorden, this is his first completed project.
He was treated respectfully by Captain Bruno Fernandes and the players who were present on Friday – Rasmus Hojlund greeted him with a strong handshake and a 'Hello Mr President'. In the words of Diogo Dalot they know that they have 'no apologies' now that they have received a perfect working environment.
“Everywhere I go, how remote from the Gobi desert to North Groenland, I meet Manchester United fans,” Sir Jim said.
'Everyone in the world knows Manchester United. We have to compete at the highest level. It is suitable for the size, history and brand of the club. Although a world -class training facility does not brings us there alone, it is one of the most important ingredients in the modern world. '