Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.placeholder image
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. | Getty Images
Arsenal take on a Manchester United side this weekend, whose pre match rituals have been shaken up by Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is to make a big change in the way his players prepare for matches this season, starting with today’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.
The Gunners take on the Red Devils at Old Trafford in the first weekend of top flight action following the summer hiatus. Both clubs have invested heavily in the summer window as they look to improve on the 2024/25 campaign.
For Mikel Arteta, it’s all eyes on the Premier League trophy while Amorim and Manchester United will hope to return to the European places having placed a lowly 15th last term.
Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford
There’s set to be plenty of new players for supporters to feast their eyes on. Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke and Christian Norgaard could all make their first Premier League appearances for Arsenal with Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha all in the same position for Manchester United.
It’s not just change on the pitch for the Red Devils this season either. Speaking ahead of the match, Amorim has confirmed that he has binned a tradition set up by Erik ten Hag in favour of a new way of approaching matches.
Previously, the Manchester United squad would arrive at Old Trafford four hours before kick off in their own cars. They would then enjoy a pre-match meal at the Theatre of Dreams.
Ruben Amorim confirms Red Devils matchday change
However, players will now meet at the Carrington training ground to eat together and finalise match preparations. Only then will they travel to Old Trafford and arrive 75 minutes ahead of kick-off, at 2:45 pm tomorrow.
Amorim told the club website: "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.
"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."
In other news, Arsenal now monitoring 'very versatile' Eberechi Eze transfer alternative who could join for half the price.
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