Green shoots for Man Utd or another false dawn?

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Manchester United has been quite disappointing, inconsistent, and has made numerous claims about their potential over the past decade without following through, thus it is prudent to observe closely for any signs of improvement before forming a judgment.

Ruben Amorim understands this well.

He realizes that his brutally honest assessment of United, along with his transparent approach in expressing how he aims to enhance the situation, will mean nothing if they fall short against Arsenal at Old Trafford in their Premier League season opener on August 17.

He is also aware that United tends to elicit strong reactions, a sentiment he echoed after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Everton in Atlanta, which solidified his team as champions of the four-team Premier League Summer Series.

"It’s typical at our club," he commented.

“If the team performs well, people will praise us, but if it’s not up to par, the reaction is the same.”

After a mere four minutes addressing the media—less than a sixth of the time he engaged with the UK journalists in Chicago on Friday—he made his exit, deciding instead to observe the non-starting members of his squad—Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui, Andre Onana, and Lisandro Martinez, who did not participate at any time—during a full training session on the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Anyone who fell short of Amorim’s standards would face his disapproval.

A significant element of Amorim's coaching philosophy involves treating his players as adults. This approach appears reasonable, yet considering it's football, there have been instances even in Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure, where a player—still closely associated with the club—arrived for a European outing with all their house keys, inadvertently locking their family inside, and had to awkwardly request assistance from a staff member to let them out.

The image of United players strolling around Chicago after practice—whether grabbing a coffee, a meal, or window shopping on the upscale Magnificent Mile without security—suggested a pleasing level of normalcy, which, according to Amorim, comes with its own responsibilities.

Players eagerly posed for countless selfies—many fans approached, and nobody declined—while they were out near the team hotel. Allowing the dressing room to manage itself was a successful strategy for Ferguson.

This has fostered a more laid-back atmosphere, contrasting with Erik ten Hag's more rigid approach, which involved punishing players for tardiness to meetings.

Nevertheless, punishments do exist in Amorim’s regime.

A loss in the small-sided games at the conclusion of training results in the necessity to pack away the training gear. In his enlightening discussion on Friday, Amorim mentioned that inadequate training performance is highlighted and communicated to the entire group rather than addressing the individual privately.

There are additional nuances to consider. The first day of training commenced at 8am to facilitate adjustment through a six-hour time zone shift, knowing that Amorim would reunite his team at Carrington on Wednesday prior to the friendly match against Fiorentina on Saturday afternoon - any disruptions resulting from time zone changes should be more manageable.

Consequently, Amorim was rising even earlier to engage in his morning routine, which included running and weight training, before the players showed up.

The training sessions themselves featured more rigorous gym activities, lasting up to an hour, alongside discussions of game scenarios - which Amorim oversees and club media are prohibited from recording.

Crucial information is distilled into key points to avoid overwhelming the players, as Amorim aims to develop a general framework that allows the players to demonstrate their intelligence and make decisions during critical moments.

This indicates that not all essential activities occur on the training fields. Amorim’s assistant, Carlos Fernandes, handles set-pieces and drill exercises. The previous practice of conducting double training sessions for fitness enhancement has been abandoned.

Furthermore, some of the running exercises required of the players have been cleverly concealed. Two shooting drill stations were set up during training, but the distance between them was increased to ensure that players exerted more energy getting from one station to another.

At first glance, all of this appears favorable. Indeed, insider reports from the club indicate that the sports science team were thrilled with the results from the initial training sessions after Amorim’s players returned for the pre-season kickoff on July 7.

They interpreted this as evidence that the players adhered to a detailed and rigorous fitness regimen while they were on break.

Being Manchester United, there were a few commercial engagements, yet these have decreased compared to previous tours.

In fact, arguably the most crucial commercial event for the club lacked player participation entirely, as Lord Coe, the chair designate of the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) related to the Old Trafford redevelopment project, was part of a group that addressed Wall Street investment banks and US financiers in New York, aiming to generate interest in financing the anticipated £2bn new stadium initiative.

The absence of Coe and chief operating officer Collette Roche, who had previously engaged extensively with the traveling media regarding the stadium plans in Los Angeles a year ago, indicates strongly that no significant developments have occurred, fueling the sentiment that United might not adhere to the initial five-year timeline referenced by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in March.

Of course, this is not a concern for Amorim.

His priority is to ensure success on the field. In that regard, United certainly appears to have improved compared to last season.

It was apparent that the frequently discussed three-man defense separates when Amorim's squad is in possession, so at the start of the build-up, the right and left defenders act like standard central backs, while the central figure among the trio - Matthijs de Ligt, who is best suited for this role - shifts into the midfield next to the deeper of the two selected for those positions.

Matheus Cunha undoubtedly adds more creativity to Amorim's offensive play, and if Amad Diallo is chosen, he poses a significant threat in attack from the right wing-back position, despite concerns regarding his defensive contributions.

It is evident that Amorim believes he can secure an improvement over Rasmus Hojlund, although many would contend that a more effective use of the available funds would be to acquire someone who can inject physicality and vigor into the midfield.

Observing Bournemouth's Alex Scott highlights a considerable deficiency within Amorim's team.

However, this tour has generally been quite serene. Amorim's players appear content overall, and the optimistic atmosphere essential for any team's success seems to be present.

Yet, the harsh truth of contemporary football is that everything is interpreted and judged through the lens of results.

The walkthrough might signify progress. If United comes out victorious, it will be viewed that way. Conversely, if they suffer a loss, it will be dismissed as a terrible choice – despite it being the same procedure.

Conceding the deciding goal to Tottenham in the Europa League final, following a flick from Brennan Johnson - which deflected off Luke Shaw at close range and slipped into the corner despite Onana's frantic efforts to stop it - relates not to training but entirely to the fine margins that managers throughout the league discuss.

This appears to be an improved United. Amorim is effectively transmitting his concepts.

However, Arsenal's forthcoming match at Old Trafford and the subsequent 37 Premier League fixtures will ultimately determine whether the advancements are genuine or if pre-season 2025 will merely represent another false dawn.