Welcome to Carrington: How the Reds helped UNICEF

Last year, the two Reds launched a prize draw in aid of UNICEF’s Ukraine Appeal, giving supporters the chance to win some amazing rewards. They included signed shirts, boots and, best of all, a trip to the training ground. 

Fans could enter the draw for £5 and the competition raised over £50,000, before Bruno and Victor made their own donations. All of the money will help children and families in Ukraine who are suffering from the ongoing conflict in the country.

UNICEF uses the vital funds to provide families with access to clean water, primary healthcare and educational supplies, all to maintain their health and learning.

The winners of the Carrington tour were United fans Ben Jordan, his son Finley and family friend Harvey, who are all based in Kent and regularly attend matches.

Watch their day out below…

INTRODUCING A UNITED LEGEND

Fernandes welcomed our visitors and introduced them to legendary receptionist Kath Phipps, who has famously worked at the training ground since 1968.

Kath has helped the likes of George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, all the way through to the current squad. “This is the person that works the most in the club, the legend,” says Bruno with a broad grin. 

“She takes care of all the parcels that the fans send to us and everything, she's the one. And the most beautiful smile in the club!”

As you can see in the video above, Fernandes then takes the group into the heart of our training ground, showing them changing rooms, the physio department and the always-popular kit room, filled with boots and strips. 

INSIDE THE GYMNASIUM 

When discussing the thorny subject of music selection among the squad - and who has the best taste - the fans bump into Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Elanga, described by Bruno as “the gym boys”.

After entering the gym, Ben, Jordan and Finley are introduced to coach Mike Clegg, who explains the players all have particular needs to oversee.

Our Portuguese magnifico then reveals his favourite exercise, which predictably involves a football, but also a basketball net at an impossible angle. Watch the video to fully appreciate that!

THE SECOND HALF

Fernandes is substituted by Lindelof and Victor takes over the tour, showing the guys a balcony that overlooks all of the pitches at Carrington for our men's, women's and Academy sides. It’s a place to eat, relax and take in some of the action that’s happening across the facility. 

By the players’ car park, the Swede is asked to name our best trainer and he is quick to praise his fundraising partner: “Oof, I think Bruno is fantastic. Whatever he does, he is very passionate about his craft and what he is doing.

“If it is training, games or whatever, I think he is really, really on top of everything and he's a great example for the rest of us as well to give 100 per cent. He is a really good leader when it comes to that.”

After walking onto the pitches, the guys head into the Jimmy Murphy Centre to see where Erik ten Hag holds his pre-match press conferences. It’s also where the players often conduct media duties and you will no doubt recognise it.

There's then a look at our state-of-the-art Academy building and a new facility for United Women that’s currently under construction.

As the tour wraps up, Ben, Jordan and Finley leave with a bag of signed shirts and memories to last a lifetime. Most importantly, vital funds have been raised for UNICEF’s Ukraine Appeal. 

Visit UNICEF.org to learn more about the Ukraine Appeal.