It was only a matter of time before we saw evidence of Sir Dave Brailsford’s marginal gains at Manchester United, and the former British Cycling supremo’s fingerprints are all over the measures being taken to help players avoid jet lag and aid their performance in the early stages of the US tour.
United’s physical performance team have prepared a detailed plan so the squad can recover from the 11-hour flight and adapt to the eight-hour time difference as quickly as possible.
When the United contingent arrived at their hotel early on Wednesday evening, they went for dinner and the players were kept up as late as possible before going to sleep.