Manchester United’s star player, Jadon Sancho, proved to be a champion sleeper on the team’s 11-hour flight from Manchester to Los Angeles, snoozing within half an hour of takeoff and only waking up when the plane touched down at LAX.
While the team had implemented a meticulous plan to minimize the effects of jet lag, including wearing tailored compression garments and getting the right amount of natural sunlight, Sancho didn’t need any help getting his beauty sleep. In fact, he slept for a whopping eight hours after arriving at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Kit Man Could Be Victim of Job Cuts
Jadon Sancho got plenty of sleep during Manchester United’s journey to their pre-season base
Meanwhile, kit man Alec Wiley could be the latest victim of Ineos job cuts at United as the club’s new co-owners continue to shed staff as part of a money-saving exercise. Wiley has been United’s kit man since Albert Morgan retired after Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013.
United Fast-Tracked Through LAX
Manchester United took just 29 minutes to clear immigration and customs at LAX airport after landing in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, a stark contrast to other Premier League clubs who have taken significantly longer to get through the red tape.
The 29-man squad plus coaching team and support staff breezed through with their baggage in less than half an hour, before boarding two team buses which cut through rush hour traffic with motorcycle outriders from LAPD, arriving at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills at 6:30 pm.
United took just 29 minutes to clear immigration and customs at LAX airport after landing in Los Angeles
Bosses Out in Force for Training
The club’s leadership group were out in force for the opening training session at UCLA as United stepped up their pre-season preparations in the US. Avram Glazer was joined by Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford, United’s new sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox.
Glazer has been a regular visitor to United’s training camps in the US and visited the team’s HQ at Pingry School in New Jersey before Ten Hag’s side faced Arsenal at the MetLife Stadium last summer.
Their base is the University of California, Los Angeles, with the team in action against Arsenal on Saturday
Record Sales for Away Kit
United’s new navy blue away kit is enjoying record sales following its launch this week. Adidas have typically tried to tap into the club’s heritage when designing the new strip with three lighter shades running around the collar representing the Irk, Medlock, and Irwell rivers which cross close to where Old Trafford meets the city of Manchester.
A statement that accompanied the launch read: ‘We have the honour every season to resonate with fans via special nods to their club and culture – and for the Manchester United away kit this season, it’s the city itself,’ they said.
‘Through features such as the collar and a nostalgic design that speaks to beloved design codes, we champion elements of the city and club’s history, finished with premium modern details to stand out on the streets, in the stands, and on the pitch.’
Man United’s new away kit has gone down very well indeed judging by adidas’ sales figures
Influencers in Action
It’s a sign of the times that United and kit sponsors Adidas arranged a football match for social media influencers at UCLA on Thursday. A number of first-team players and staff were at the event which featured Steve Bartlett, well known for appearing on Dragons Den and his podcast Diary of a CEO.
Bartlett gave a talk to United players about investment opportunities at the end of last season after being invited to the training ground by coach Steve McClaren.