MANCHESTER UNITED’s stars will be keeping their cool with a game-changing high-tech jacket.
Ruben Amorim’s squad had their first public session of their US tour at Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Bears.
And despite temperatures in the north of the US having slightly dipped after a “real feel” of 42 degrees Celsius early this week, the United players were instructed in how to wear the silver coats.
United’s head of physical performance, Ed Leng, explained to the players the benefits of the new equipment, with first team lead physical performance coach Charlie Owen operating as an unlikely mannequin.
Amorim’s players looked on with a mix of bafflement and laughter but it was explained that the equipment would help them deal with the oppressive heat.
It is intended that the United players will put them on after the warm up during their Premier League Summer Series games, starting against West Ham in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Saturday, and at half time.
The jacket, developed by adidas, is being trialled by United as part of a major breakthrough in cooling strategies and technology.
It is part of what adidas say is a continuous innovation strategy to constantly maximise performance.
A version has already been used by F1 drivers and cyclists, used to operating at extreme heat, with the insulation material keeping players cool while they train.
Heat mitigation issues are an increasing requirement, demonstrated after Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said it was “impossible” for his players to train properly in the early stages of their successful Club World Cup run.
Dortmund and Bayern Munich substitutes hid in the dressing room during some of their matches rather than roasting on the bench.
Adidas, long-term partners of Fifa, also expect the jackets will be commonplace at teams playing in next year’s World Cup.
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