The training pitch may have been frosty but the atmosphere in Michael Carrick's first session as head coach was convivial, as relationships were renewed and new bonds started to form.
In temperatures many degrees lower than in Morocco, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo returned to familiar surroundings, following their Africa Cup of Nations exploits.
In fact, there were a few hats on show to ward off the chill, but a buzz of excitement generated by the sight of Carrick and his coaching team mixing with the players, offering instructions, advice and support, with everyone clearly keen to impress.
Such eagerness was clear from the outset of a brisk session, with the players wasting little time in heading from the gym and straight into an initial light warm-up, ended by a shrill peep from Jonathan Woodgate's whistle.
Some stretches followed, before sprints and gentler runs, to prepare for the work that lay ahead.
Carrick started one of the passing drills by firing a ball with the sort of accuracy he showed consistently, week in and week out in the fulcrum of United's midfield, and it was fascinating to hear how things would unfold.
There was plenty of interaction between the players and all the coaches, as you'd expect, with Steve Holland talking through various aspects.
Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion were very much involved, with the latter helping to organise matters and everyone keen to maintain a level of intensity and quality of passing and movement.
The goalkeepers left their work with Craig Mawson to help join in, when things moved to another spell of sharp ball-playing, with tackles and challenges incorporated at this point and the competitiveness increased.
Youngsters such as Shea Lacey, suspended for the Manchester derby at the weekend after his Emirates FA Cup red card, the Fletcher twins (Jack and Tyler) and Habeeb Ogunneye (back from a loan spell at Newport County) were part of the group, adding their own energy to proceedings.
With places up for grabs, there was a real sharpness to the training and the squad split across two pitches - one for the defenders and the other for the more attack-minded individuals. Carrick offered encouragement to those trying to find their way past the goalkeepers.
Raining in shots at an increasingly dizzying pace, you almost feel for Senne Lammens, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton and Dermot Mee, particularly when the ball crashes against the woodwork but they managed to make some fabulous saves.
Nevertheless, Mbeumo showed no signs of any rustiness with one outrageously cheeky, clever scooped effort, Benjamin Sesko showed the sort of confidence in front of goal that comes with having three goals from his last two outings and Bruno Fernandes supplied a couple of astounding finishes.
Carrick had time for all his players, putting an arm around Casemiro at one point and having a chat with another South American, in Lisandro Martinez, towards the end.
Meanwhile, a shooting competition was arranged, with Fernandes, characteristically, not needing a second invitation to have a go. Three goals in a row were the aim, as those involved worked in pairs. Matheus Cunha was particularly effusive about one strike from his partner, Lacey, but a combination of outstanding saves and the woodwork ensured the game became more and more competitive, and faster!
Ultimately, it was left to Fernandes and Tyler Fletcher to claim the spoils, which, naturally, delighted the skipper.
Overall, there was a real zip to the occasion, and some interesting facets to note ahead of Saturday's big game at Old Trafford.
There appears to be such a good mix to the coaching team and a clear willingness to support the players in ensuring they are fully prepared for the visit of Pep Guardiola's men.
This first session with everybody together will set the tone for what is to come and it was obviously one that struck the right chord for players and coaches, working together to try to ensure the Reds get back on track and finish the season strongly.
The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.