Ruben Amorim introduces new pre-match routine at Man Utd, ‘we cannot spend four hours…’

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Ruben Amorim and his Manchester United players will kick off the new season against Arsenal on Sunday.

Manchester United fans are eager to see a significant improvement from the team on the pitch after a turbulent 2024/25 campaign that saw Ruben Amorim’s side finish 15th in the Premier League.

To make matters worse, United blew their final opportunity to clinch Champions League qualification after losing the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Since then, United have revamped their attacking department in the transfer window. Amorim has signed players like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to ensure the team is scoring more goals this season.

Amorim will continue to make changes to his team as he implements his preferred style of play. The United head coach will also want to build a winning mentality at Old Trafford to restore the club to its former glories.

Change of plan for Manchester United

Pre-match routines are set to be done differently at United this season.

In previous seasons, the United first team arrived at Old Trafford four hours before kick-off to enjoy a pre-match meal at the stadium.

That is set to change after United unveiled a new state-of-the-art training facility at Carrington.

Amorim has confirmed that United will now meet at the training ground, eat together and travel as a group to each home match.

The team are expected to arrive at Old Trafford around 14:45 on Sunday.

“I always had the feeling that we arrive at Old Trafford and Old Trafford must be the centre of the game, but we cannot spend four hours there waiting for the game,” Amorim told MUTV.

“And I feel with these facilities [at Carrington] we can be here, preparing for the game away from Old Trafford and when we arrive at Old Trafford, we have to feel the fans and then go directly to the game, not killing the momentum of the connection with our fans.

“We know that we have a lot of people waiting there for us, to be with the players and to sign autographs. We will try to do the same.

“So, it’s going to be the same experience for the fans.

“But for us it’s going to be better because we are going to feel, nearer the game, the momentum with the fans and we will spend less time in there.”

Five facts about Man Utd vs Arsenal

• United and Arsenal have met twice in August at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils winning both matches.
• In 33 matches at Old Trafford, United have 18 wins, while 10 matches have seen the points shared. Arsenal left the Theatre of Dreams with three points on five occasions.
• The only player to score for both sides in this fixture at Old Trafford is Danny Welbeck.
• Bruno Fernandes is the only current squad player to have scored for United in this fixture at Old Trafford.
• United’s last clean sheet against Arsenal was on 30 January 2021.