Inside story: Preparations in Chicago

It’s a togetherness that has steadily built since players and staff arrived in the USA last week, with a first victory certainly helping. A rhythm to training and temporary life in the States has developed.

“The team’s definitely gelled since we’ve been back and with the new additions in Diego, Matheus and Bryan, it’s been really good,” Kobbie Mainoo told us, in an interview out later today.

Training has been varied, with some highly intense sessions and others conducted at walking pace to permit proper muscle recovery. What has been unchanged is the central focus of every session: tactical instruction, with Ruben Amorim conducting his players from the middle of the pitch.

For those privileged enough to watch those, it was encouraging to see the elements being worked on replicated in-game against West Ham in United’s first game on American soil this summer.

Early morning training in cooler conditions provides the best opportunity to work the players hard, and also opens up the afternoon, where club commitments have been well-balanced with proper time off.

After a late flight back to Chicago from Saturday’s game in New Jersey, Sunday was a full recovery day. Many of the squad watched England Lionesses’ Euros triumph while stretching at the hotel, and before heading to watch the Chicago White Sox against the Cubs, where Bruno Fernandes was in the bowels of the stadium preparing to do the ceremonial first pitch and relaxing with non-football staff members.

When one called their family back in England to catch up before his kids went to bed, Bruno came over to join the conversation and say hello. “Who are you?” one of their daughters asked. “I’m Bruno!” he said.

It’s typical of his nature. Last week, at a meet-and-greet with fans, one young child was shy and didn’t want their picture taken with the players. Bruno came over to chat to them. “Are you a bit tired?” he said. It was an early start for training, after all. After a quick chat, they were happy to smile for the photo. They’ll look on back on that in a few years' time and be grateful he made the effort.

Back at the baseball, he asked staff to take a selfie with him to remember the moment once walking out on to the field.

The next day, Wes Brown followed Bruno in performing the first pitch. He said he’d been practising with his mum back in England, throwing a lemon across the kitchen. It’s funny how elite athletes get nervous when taken out of their comfort zone!

As club ambassador, Wes has been at a huge variety of events since arriving in North America. United worked with the local supporters’ club and politicians in Niagara to light up the famous Niagara Falls in red, white and black. Fan events have been held in several cities, and community sports sessions have been put on in association with several of Chicago’s most famous sporting institutions. Fans have had the chance to meet the players at events across the city. The players are enjoying meeting supporters from different parts of the world.

One English supporter, who cleverly organised a work trip to Chicago to match with United’s dates in the city got a lucky invite to watch training on Tuesday. He was buzzing to see them at such close quarters.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “To be honest with you, they are giants! You don’t realise how fit and big they are.

“The team feels ready to go, the energy’s positive, they look really energised, everyone’s on point. They’re gelling together, so it’s really good to see. The new players seem like they’ve been with the team for a very long time so I’m really excited to see it.”

Those not involved with United have noted the togetherness and positivity of the group, too. Bruno is far from the only squad member whose small gestures, often unseen by cameras and external journalists, make a difference to the mood, and Ruben came over to staff at Tuesday training, with a blistering sun beating down, to offer his suncream.

Watching on was Premier League commentator Peter Drury, who said, “your man Ruben Amorim, who has taken a few hits over the last few months, seems to me to be a very decent, regular guy. So from an entirely human perspective because I’ve got to remain non-partisan, I’ve got to wish him well.

“United look as though they’ve got a smile on their face, which is probably the basic premise for this stage. I think United fans around the world want to see smiles on faces and there’s a little roots growing into a tiny blossom.”

On the pitch, there’s been few intensive fitness drills. Instead, it’s what MUTV pundit Ben Thornley has described as “disguised running.” On Monday, Bryan Mbeumo - who is progressing nicely on his individual plan and has a chance of playing in Sunday’s game in Atlanta - participated in an intense drill with the Academy players. It helped ‘disguise’ shuttle runs by making them part of a drill focused on attacking patterns of play. On Tuesday, the full squad competed in a sprinting exercise, followed by the standard tactical work.

After training, as with other days, players were allowed to choose what they preferred to do. Some stayed out for well over an hour, with a competitive shooting drill for some, a long and entertaining game of two-touch for others, and some sat relaxing in the sunshine before getting back into the gym.

It says something about the autonomy given to the players, which they seem to be appreciating. The mood is good and Ruben feels progress is being made, so it’s been a highly productive tour so far, for all involved.

Now, there’s a big game to come. United played well against West Ham, especially in the first half. Bournemouth are further in their development than the Hammers and will present a tougher test.

“They look a very together team, they’ve got a couple of players in each position, so I think it’s going to be a really good contest,” said Peter Drury.

So, to Soldier Field we go!