More freedom for players and one base - how Manchester United learnt lessons for their pre-season tour

Manchester United players posed for a goodbye picture with UCLA staff on Friday. If United have it their way, they will be back in Los Angeles next year.

This was the third time United had trained at UCLA and staff have spoken of the likelihood of returning again next year. That would mark an unprecedented third successive pre-season tour of the United States.

Even Kobbie Mainoo, on holiday in LA, touched base with teammates and watched part of United's final session at UCLA on Friday. Mainoo will be back at Carrington next week.

United have learnt lessons from last year's taxing tour when they travelled to four different states and played in three different time zones. That tour illogically began on the east coast and ended in the Nevada desert, eight hours behind the UK.

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Club sources say this year's itinerary was a "football-led design". United avoided the zig-zagging (from New Jersey to San Diego to Houston to San Diego to Las Vegas) that undermined their preparations for last season.

Players felt United's first base in New Jersey during the 2023 tour was too remote. New York was tantalisingly close but off-limits. This year, players have been able to explore LA, with some heading for the beach and others Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

The choice of the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills was more modest than the Wilshire and the Montage, where United have been based before. The SLS is a Marriott Bonvoy hotel, so United had a sponsor to please.

When United arrived with a police escort at 6.30pm on July 24, the only 'fans' present were three journalists (including this