Christian Eriksen: Man Utd's pre-season travel more manageable this year

The midfielder believes the club has learned valuable lessons from the previous season's hectic schedule and have prioritised football this year to ensure a more focused preparation.

Last year's pre-season tour was notably chaotic for the team, as they played friendlies across multiple locations including New Jersey, Houston, San Diego, and Las Vegas.

The gruelling travel schedule, especially the lengthy seven-hour round trip between San Diego and Houston, took a toll on the players.

The second game against Real Madrid in Houston was particularly exhausting, highlighting the challenges of an overextended tour.

In response to the feedback from the players and the logistical challenges faced, Manchester United have made a conscious effort to streamline this year's tour.

By reducing travel distances and focusing on fewer, but more strategically placed locations, the club aim to enhance the overall experience for the squad.

Asked if this pre-season has been less gruelling, Eriksen said: "Yes, 100 per cent. I do think so. It's different being at a base and travelling less to the games. It definitely is different.

"Obviously last summer is what it is. It's also a sponsor's trip at the same time as fitness and, looking at it, the football was pushed a little bit backwards last season.

"But I do think this year, football has been pushed forward and the focus is on that. Just in general, there were a lot of flights in between, there were a lot of short trips for one or two days in this city and then the next one.

"We needed to really slow down and acclimatise, because it was a different environment and a different place to train, then a different hotel.

"It did feel like a lot of stuff was going on in a very short period. There's also going to be a lot of stuff on this tour, but it does feel different.

"If we speak next year or in two weeks' time, maybe I can say it was better or worse, but it's feeling better."

This year's itinerary includes a match in Los Angeles, followed by a game in San Diego-a relatively short hour's flight away-and concludes with a final friendly in North Carolina. 

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