The new first team training centre at Man United's Carrington training complex has opened ahead of the new season.
The new first tream dressing room at Carrington
The new first tream dressing room at Carrington
Manchester United have officially opened their new £50million first-team building at their Carrington training complex.
The United squad spent more than a year in the recently-built £10m centre reserved for the women's and academy teams that opened in 2024.
Architects from Foster + Partners had targeted an opening for the start of pre-season and for the the start of the new season, at the very latest.
United have billed their new hub as "a leading-edge, high-performance training environment designed to inspire collaboration, innovation and excellence".
The project, overseen by architect Lord Norman Foster, has been completed within budget. The new building boasts updated equipment and technology, with a focus on fitness, nutrition, recovery and team unity.
Players and staff provided input for the design, which has an emphasis on open work spaces and collaboration. Designers have also ensured there is greater exposure to natural light.
United players moved into their remodelled quarters this week and the majority of the club's executive leadership team has also moved in. Several staff members have also relocated from Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe were present at Carrington for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon. United moved to Carrington from their storied training ground The Cliff in 2000, roughly midway through Ferguson's 26-and-a-half-year tenure as manager.
Ferguson has since rued elements of the original design of Carrington, an area United first identified to relocate to back in 1996. Ferguson regretted that United's gymnasium was in a hall, rather than looking out onto the pitch.
An external view of Carrington
An external view of Carrington
Cristiano Ronaldo was scathing about the facilities at Carrington after he returned in 2021 and claimed the club "stopped on a clock... Nothing changed, surprisingly. Not only the pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym."
United made modifications after Ronaldo privately aired his qualms and a new canteen opened in 2022. The swimming pool was also upgraded but any other planned changes were halted by Ratcliffe.
One of Ratcliffe's first major announcements after he invested a minority stake in United in December 2023 was to sanction a major revamp of Carrington.
The new swimming pool
The new swimming pool
Ratcliffe said: “Following a review of the facility last year, we made a quick decision to invest significantly in the creation of a world-class performance environment for staff and players to reflect our ambition and vision for Manchester United.
"We are delighted with the outcome and are confident the new facility will play an important role in building a winning culture at the club.”
United chief executive Omar Berrada added: “This project represents a clear step towards unifying every part of the club around a shared footballing vision.
"By bringing our staff and players closer together in one integrated environment, we are creating a culture of collaboration and high-performance.”