The Red Devils have finally caught up with their rivals after a year of upheaval at Carrington and GOAL has taken a look inside the revamped facility.
Cristiano Ronaldo sounded the alarm in his final bombshell interview as a Manchester United player and less than three years later the club has heeded the call, unveiling a completely revamped training centre on Friday. And Diogo Dalot believes that his Portugal team-mate and former club companion would be happy with the results. He might even send Ronaldo pictures of the £50m ($67m) makeover, which United firmly believe has brought them into line with their main rivals, if he asks to see it.
"I'm sure he would love it if he would be able to see it. But overall I think the message was clear that this club deserved even more," Dalot told reporters at the opening of the renovated training facility at Carrington. "We've been waiting for a long time at the club, so all credit to Sir Jim and his team. I think they did an unbelievable job and I think finally we're getting to a level where this club deserves and now it's up to us to, on the pitch, also match that standard."
United's players spent last season training at the women's and academy facilities while work was completed on their building but the project was completed on budget and on time, more than a week before the new campaign. Sir Jim Ratcliffe cut the ribbon to open the new facility in a ceremony attended by the whole squad and coaching staff.
Sir Alex Ferguson was also there and he unveiled a plaque to the late Kath Phipps, the club's receptionist who served United for 55 years and in the words of the legendary manager, "this was her life, every day."
As well as honouring the club's past, this was about taking the club into the future. Ratcliffe said: "This is one of the most recognised brands in the world, it stands shoulder to shoulder with Coca-Cola and Apple. The club has to compete at the highest level that is appropriate to the size and history of the club. While a world class training facility won’t take us to that position alone, it is one of the key ingredients in the modern facility. Now we have one."
The facility has been carefully designed to take United back to being the elite club they were when Carrington opened in 2000 – the year after the Red Devils won the treble. In the words of Dalot: "What I like the most is now there's going to be no excuses."
And GOAL has taken a tour of the building, getting an inside view of how players and staff will benefit from the new facilities. And here are the things that stood out the most…
Nigel Young/Foster + PartnersSmart urinals in the dressing room
One of the most important areas in the revamped facility is the first team changing room. It is roomier than before and each player has a digital screen in their allotted space showing the agenda for the week. There is more natural light than before, while there is also a private space within the changing room for players to take calls.
Alejandro Garnacho and Antony still have spaces in the changing room despite being up for sale and not currently training with the squad. So too does Jadon Sancho although he does not have a squad number.
The bathrooms within the changing rooms are no usual bathrooms. They contain 'smart' urinals, which can measure whether a player is dehydrated and tell them how much liquid to intake to get back to ideal hydration levels.
There is also a separate changing room for players who are based at the academy but training with the first team and trying to break into Ruben Amorim's side. The likes of Diego Leon, Chido Obi and Sekou Kone will be making use of it until they establish themselves in the team.
AdvertisementGettyBrighter medical area
A lot of United players have spent significant periods of time recovering from injury recently, with Mason Mount missing big chunks of the campaign and Lisandro Martinez's season being ended in February with a serious knee injury. Andre Onana got injured in the first week of pre-season training although he should be able to face Arsenal on the opening weekend. The good news is that injured players will be able to use vastly improved facilities and a much more welcoming space to nurse their ailments and get back to action.
The previous medical room at Carrington has been described as "a dungeon" but the new area is far brighter, which is designed to improve wellness and help players recover on a psychological level. The medical room is located opposite the training pitches. This is to encourage injured players to get back to action soon although if the sight of watching their team-mates train in front of them is too much, they can pull down the blinds.
Many injured players have tended to conduct their recovery away from the club, often abroad. But the club now hope that the improved facilities will encourage stricken players to get back to full fitness at Carrington.
AFPPadel court for the players
The players were asked their opinions on what they wanted at the facility and they all decided to petition for a padel court. Many players, in particular Dalot, are keen padel players, as is Amorim and several of his coaches.
The court has not yet been built but once it is finished players will be more likely to want to stay at the training ground after their usual sessions are finished.
Nigel Young/Foster + PartnersBarber shop & F1 simulator
The players' lounge is a wide open space facing the training pitches, which can be viewed from an outside balcony when the weather is nice as well as through the giant windows. A huge dining area is the main feature of the players' area but there is also a barber shop and a Formula One simulator. The idea is for the players to feel comfortable around the training ground so they want to remain there and bond as a team.
Dalot explained: "Ultimately, we're talking about our second home, which is where we spend the most time after our personal homes with our families. So I think you should be able to feel good once you come in. I think these facilities right now are exactly what we thought it would be and even better."
Dalot, incidentally, was the first player to make use of the barber shop to get a fresh trim.
