Youngsters set for Austrian training camp
Manchester United are embarking on a pre-season training camp in Austria for the second successive year.
The Academy staff were impressed with the excellent facilities at the Obertraun complex in 2017 and fly back to the area this weekend, with members of the Under-23s and Under-18s squads on the trip.
The stay should provide opportunity for intensive training, team bonding and fresh experience in an unfamiliar setting. Ricky Sbragia, Nicky Butt and Neil Ryan are among the coaches working with the youngsters and there is a friendly match arranged against local opposition.
MUTV will be in attendance to provide coverage of the camp as preparations for the 2018/19 season begin in earnest.
Two Under-18s regulars who will enjoy a second visit to Obertraun spoke to ManUtd.com about the plans. “The experience is quite inspiring, to be honest,” said midfielder Dylan Levitt. “I was not used to it, being surrounded by mountains, lakes and nature. It was just a lot different.
”Everyone enjoyed it last year which is why I think we’re going back. I want to help the other lads and bring them on as some are new coming up from the Under-16s. It gives you a lot of experience and team bonding too – it helps with all that.”
Defender Ethan Laird agreed, saying: “It’s good to get out of the country and going to a different environment with a different climate. For me, as a first-year [scholar], it was very hard trying to get in with the older boys as they were already a group, while we were new and coming into the system from the Under-16s.
”So it was hard to mingle until that tour, which solidified the team and we became a proper unit. Therefore, I feel my role this year is to get the new first-years comfortable. At the moment, they are a quiet bunch, whereas we were probably a bit more energetic and lively, as they seem maybe more mature. It means they’re a bit quieter but the trip will get them out of their shell.”