Mawson: Ireland was a really worthwhile trip

The Reds landed back in Manchester on Thursday, after three days on the training pitches in the Republic of Ireland, ramping things up again following the recent international break and ahead of our Premier League season's final seven games.

Before embarking on the journey home, Craig squeezed in a catch-up with club media, admirably delaying drying off after a rainy final session on the Emerald Isle to give us an insight into Thursday’s work, and the time away as a whole.

“It was really good,” Mawson began, telling club media’s Sam Carney about Thursday’s training in the wet conditions.

“The weather came, acclimatising us ready for our return to Manchester, but it’s been a real worthwhile three days, getting the group back together.

“Since the last game, a lot has happened. The players go off for the international break, and to get everyone back fit and then to come out here for three days, change of scenery and get everyone back together, it’s been a really good and worthwhile trip.” 

Mawson has been responsible for working with a four-man group this week, consisting of Altay Bayindir, Senne Lammens, Dermot Mee and Academy stopper Fred Heath.

He says the time together away from home, in a different environment and with an alternative routine to a normal week at Carrington, has been a real benefit to both his goalkeepers and the group as a whole.

“Usually on a day-to-day [basis] we’re working individually from the group, with the smaller numbers it allows us to build those relationships, but it’s heightened a little bit more when you come away from the training ground because you’re spending a little bit of social time together as well,” Craig added.

“When you’re out here, it forges the links, builds the relationships, not just between goalkeepers but with the whole team and the staff as well.

“I’m really fortunate, it’s a fantastic working group, lots of different qualities, lots of different characters but the work ethic on a daily basis, the implementation of the session design and practices, and the willingness to try new things [makes me feel like] I’m very fortunate to be able to work with this group.”

Mawson joined our coaching team from Burnley in 2019 and, having operated under several of our previous managers, is now enjoying the opportunity to work alongside Travis Binnion, Jonny Evans, Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate as part of Michael Carrick’s staff.

A former player himself, primarily at Morecambe, the 46-year-old now relishes the challenge of driving United’s goalkeeping standards – a role he says involves non-stop development as a coach and an onus to continue bringing fresh ideas to training sessions.

“Ultimately a lot of the goalkeeping practices, when you strip it all back, you’re working on the same fundamentals. It’s just how you present it differently to keep them stimulated and engaged with the practices,” Mawson explained.

“I’ve been really fortunate in my time here to work under some really good goalkeeping coaches and some good managers in my own development journey as a coach. You’re taking little bits of different coaches’ ideas to build your own practices and identity as a coach.

“[I’m] always learning. [There is a] different voice [now] at the top from the manager, some really good people first and foremost within the staff, and some good football people that are really knowledgeable. For my own personal development, to be able to work closely and sit round a table in an office or sit round a meal table to listen [helps me to] continue learning myself.”