Manchester United have confirmed their new pre-match routine for home games at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim making a U-turn on a decision made by Erik ten Hag
19:41, 16 Aug 2025
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim is overhauling Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has shaken up Manchester United's pre-match routine at Old Trafford.
Previously, United would stay overnight in a city centre hotel before home matches, a practice that Erik ten Hag altered when he took over from Ajax.
Ten Hag required the players to arrive at Old Trafford four hours before kick-off, driving themselves and having a pre-match meal at the stadium. He also converted a large hospitality suite at Old Trafford into a pre-match room for his team.
However, Amorim has decided to abandon this approach. The players will now gather at Carrington, have their meal together at the training ground, and travel as a group to Old Trafford.
United have confirmed they will arrive at Old Trafford at 2.45pm for their match against Arsenal on Sunday.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United arrives ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Athletic Club at Old Trafford on May 08, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United will arrive at Old Trafford just under two hours before kick-off(Image: Zohaib Alam - MUFC, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Discussing the change with MUTV, Amorim said: "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.
"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.
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"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."
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United have pulled back the curtains on Carrington's £50million facelift ahead of the new season. "I have no doubt that it will positively impact the performance of our teams," Omar Berrada confidently stated.