United's preparations for the new season have also been boosted by the signing of Tony Strudwick, a highly regarded fitness coach, whom they have enticed from Blackburn Rovers.
This development follows the abrupt and acrimonious departure of Valter di Salvo, the United fitness coach, to Real Madrid last month - but United have moved quickly to replace him, with Strudwick having begun his new job on Saturday.
'Blackburn, for their part, are understood to be disappointed by the timing of the man Mark Hughes, the manager, credits with turning his squad into the fittest in the top flight, but the clubs are working on a compensation package that would at least go some way towards smoothing relations with their rivals in the North West.'