No billboard was required to welcome Christian Eriksen to Manchester. The first time Eriksen surfaced in the city as a United player he was clutching an umbrella as he strolled down Deansgate.
An umbrella and a temporary stay at The Lowry has become a rite of passage for any new United signing and Eriksen, their oldest outfield arrival in the summer, was the designated driver for two other incomings in his first week at the club.
Eriksen ferried Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia to Carrington for some training sessions but his teammates now have the keys to their own vehicles. Eriksen has since reverted from a familial Audi Q7 to his sporty Porsche.
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Yesteryear, United encouraged players to move out of Manchester city centre, away from any prying eyes. Jose Mourinho stubbornly resisted despite an intrusive evening walking from The Lowry Hotel to a restaurant five minutes away
A fan took a selfie with Mourinho on Trinity Bridge without warning and the United manager was soon accosted by another citizen while restauranteurs beckoned him in, all while paparazzi tailed him.
Flanked by backroom staff members Rui Faria, Silvino Louro, Carlos Lalin, Giovanni Cera, Emilio Alvarez, the sextet entered Argentinian restaurant Gaucho but soon left before eventually settling in Anderson's favourite haunt, Bem Brasil. Unlike Mourinho, who resided at The Lowry for two-and-a-half years, Alvarez did head out to Hale and was such a prolific presence in the village he was dubbed 'the King of Hale'.
Daley Blind, 24 at the time he moved to Manchester from Amsterdam, ignored the cautious advice to stay in an apartment during his four years at United as he and his partner, both Amsterdammers, enjoyed a city living experience.
City living is encouraged at City. Pep Guardiola lives in the same block as some of his players whereas the majority of United's head for the tranquillity of the suburbs.
Martinez and Antony spent two years in Amsterdam and have both embraced city life, opting for apartments. Martinez and his girlfriend, Muri Lopez Benitez, have dined at Don Giovanni and The Ivy.
United sources say Martinez's personality off the pitch is almost the polar opposite to his truculent presence on it. His politeness has struck staff, who feel his fluent English has aided Martinez's acclimatisation in the north of England. Martinez is particularly vocal in training.
Although 24 and a mere two months into his United career, Martinez has been extremely helpful to the academy players promoted to first-team sessions and has involved himself with other age groups.
His teammate at Ajax, Antony, is still nearby for the time being. The Brazilian eschewed a celebratory meal at one of the Brazilian restaurants in favour of steak house Hawksmoor on the night of his goalscoring debut against Arsenal. When Antony, clad in a club tracksuit and layered by a Burberry hoodie, emerged with his entourage, he posed ecstatically for photographers by John Rylands Library.
Staff at United have buzzed off Antony's character and how visibly delighted he is to be at the club. As unedifying as it was for Ajax that Antony went on strike to engineer his €100million transfer, United were impressed by that attitude and eagerness.
The Brazilian has understandably bonded with the coterie of Portuguese speakers in the squad whilst he learns English. Players have found Antony has a good understanding of the language even though he can only speak a limited amount.
Eriksen and Casemiro, the two 30-year-olds, have moved to Hale, as has Malacia. Casemiro occupies a house that Aaron Wan-Bissaka once rented from Sergio Aguero and is naturally closest with Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane, his teammates at Real Madrid, as well as fellow Brazilian midfielder Fred.
Well-placed sources have described Casemiro as a "leader with quiet authority" and he immediately commanded respect in the dressing room. Eriksen is viewed as one of the experienced heads who oozes calmness.
Although Eriksen signed during the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, he endeavoured to meet players and staff back at base at Carrington to ease his integration at a new club. Eriksen had hoped to fly to Melbourne but his stringent medical delayed involvement with his new teammates and the early preparation at Carrington has been beneficial to player and team.
As the linchpin of the best Tottenham team since the days of Bill Nicholson and a Serie A winner, Eriksen demands high standards and that mentality has seen him connect with Bruno Fernandes. Eriksen is especially grateful for the opportunity to play for United as he never expected to return to England after he left Spurs in January 2020.
Malacia is regarded as the quietest of the new signings but is usually one of the last to leave Carrington as he does additional gym and training sessions. Unsurprisingly, Malacia has gravitated towards his compatriot Donny van de Beek and the Van de Beeks' own friendship with the Shaws has allowed Malacia to strike up a positive rapport with his left-back competitor.
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