What happened at United's open training session?

The thousands of Thai fans in attendance at the national stadium excitedly greeted the whole group as they emerged out on to the pitch, nine years on from our last visit.

New manager Erik ten Hag’s hands-on coaching style was clear for all to see out on the grass, while assistant coaches Steve McClaren and Mitchell van der Gaag also put the lads through their paces on the day before our first friendly of the campaign – and Ten Hag’s debut game in charge – versus Liverpool.

Several coaching staff inherited by the Dutchman were also involved in the lively session, including Eric Ramsey and Darren Fletcher.

Fletcher is due to continue his dual role this season as part of the first-team coaching set-up while also acting as a bridge with the Academy and taking oversight of loan players.

United’s session began at around 17:20 local time, when the temperature was still around 29 degrees Celsius – it’s expected to be that hot tomorrow, too.

After a warm-up, the lads split off into two groups, playing small-sided games under the watchful eye of the staff.

The Reds travelled to Thailand at the weekend with a 31-man squad, but not everyone was present at the open training session.

Several players, including Scott McTominay, Axel Tuanzebe, Raphael Varane and James Garner were absent as they were doing gym work as part of bespoke programmes.

In addition to the United shirts – and a few Liverpool tops – in the crowd, the world’s media also enjoyed the rare opportunity to have a front-row seat to training, including around 20 from the UK’s press pack.

All in all, the squad spent just over an hour out on the grass, with the biggest cheers reserved for the shooting drills at the end – and, of course, when the manager and a number of players stopped to sign shirts before returning to the dressing room.

Open training sessions like these are a brilliant chance for the fans to get close to United – and it’s not too long until our loyal Perth supporters will be afforded the same opportunity, when Tour 2022 visits the Australian city later this month.