ATLANTA, GA – Manchester United’s summer tour across the US initially seemed promising. However, as Reuben Amorim took a late flight from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport back to Manchester on Sunday night, he recognized that the whole club—players, staff, and fans—had encountered a stark reality check.
Following wins against West Ham in New Jersey and Bournemouth in Chicago, a 2-2 draw with Everton at Mercedes-Benz Stadium revealed some recurring issues. Bruno Fernandez remarked that a portion of the team’s performance felt “lazy,” and while Amorim partially agreed, he still supported his captain.
“I struggled a bit today,” Amorim said. “It feels like we didn’t perform as well as we could, but that’s okay. It’s a great feeling to return to Carrington knowing we need to improve significantly.”
Amorim, an inherent optimist, fully grasps the challenges facing United as they strive to rebound from last season, which was the worst in over 50 years.
The prevailing sentiment from Amorim and his team is that their primary objective is to return to Europe, although they need to close a gap of over 20 points.
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After eight challenging months since taking over from Eric Ten Hag, Amorim has put forth significant effort to present this summer as a new beginning. It’s crucial for United’s leadership to back players like Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia, demonstrating that only committed individuals are welcome in the group.
In the US, the focus has shifted to prioritizing teamwork, with new rules encouraging players to bond more closely. A larger round table was added to the dining area at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Chicago to foster better interactions.
Part of Amorim’s frustration with Marcus Rashford—who moved to Barcelona on loan—stems from his tendency to stick with only one close friend, rather than fully engaging with the broader team. Amorim believes that stronger relationships on the field lead to improved performances off it.
In Chicago, players were allowed to stroll freely in the evenings following training. Unlike typical preseason tours that include two training sessions a day, Amorim opted for a more relaxed schedule, keeping afternoons free to enhance team bonding. Staff noted that one night, the entire squad chose to dine together at an unannounced Tao Asia restaurant instead of splitting up.
While Amorim maintains a level of discipline among players, he avoids overmanaging them, drawing from his experiences as a player at Benfica and Braga, where strict management styles stifled player expression. Unlike Ten Hag, who is known for his meticulous approach, Amorim takes a more laid-back stance—though he won’t tolerate tardiness during bus rides to training.
Amorim and his coaching staff are eager for players to return to preseason in better shape than last year, having instructed them to follow a tailored fitness regime during their breaks. At their US training base, the Chicago Fire’s facility, players received GPS trackers to monitor their performance, with anyone falling short being called out in front of the group.
“If you don’t train properly, I have the footage to show you,” Amorim said in a 30-minute interview with an English journalist. “And I won’t hesitate to reveal it.” He hopes to implement strict oversight with a new six-member leadership team.
Last season, Bruno Fernandez often felt he had to shoulder responsibility alone, but this year he will be supported by Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, and Tom Heaton. Minor issues will now be managed by these groups, with only major concerns making their way to Amorim.
“There were several matters I had to address last year,” Amorim noted. “This time, I’ve told them to take charge. The smaller issues are now in your hands.”
Despite delegating certain responsibilities, Amorim emphasized that he remains in command of training. He takes a step back during warm-ups, leaving the technical aspects to his assistant Carlos Fernandez. A renewed emphasis will be placed on gym work after staff noticed struggles in one-on-one drills during the previous season—sessions can now extend up to an hour.
The first-team strength and conditioning coach Michael Clegg leads specific exercises that involve timed intervals of pull-ups, where players are expected to complete eight or nine repetitions before failing. On the pitch, running drills are masked as shooting practice to keep it enjoyable.
Meanwhile, Amorim oversees tactical drills, physically moving players in place without allowing media to film the process to maintain strategic confidentiality.
“If everything goes smoothly, I’ll reach a point where I can close my eyes and let the game flow,” Dalot said. “We all know our roles on the field.”
Following player feedback regarding the organization of the 2023 US tour, club executives, including COO Colette Roche, revamped how preseason trips are structured. The focus was shifted to reducing commercial activities, minimizing travel, and ensuring that the team remains in one location for extended periods.
“Honestly, everything was top-notch,” Luke Shaw remarked about United’s preseason base in Chicago. “We discussed this before arriving here—there were meetings aimed at ensuring we had the best facilities and resources to prepare for our season.”
Given the intensity of United’s tours, Amorim is cautious about maintaining a realistic outlook. He knows that if the team’s performance falters in the first five Premier League games—three of which are against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea—the optimism could quickly evaporate.
Much of the talk among players and staff during their time in the US has centered around starting anew. However, at a fan engagement event at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Chicago, Joshu Azilky cleverly summarized the current sentiment at United.
As United appears to be emerging from a tumultuous twelve months, fans are eager for tangible progress on the pitch. “They want to see action,” the Dutch winger noted.
The true measure of the summer’s success will be revealed when Arsenal visits Old Trafford on August 17th.
Fan Take: This news matters to soccer fans as it highlights the ongoing challenges Manchester United faces in rebuilding and regaining their former glory. If they can harness their newfound team dynamics and execute Amorim’s vision, it could signal a thrilling resurgence in competitive football, rekindling hope among supporters and stirring excitement in the league.
