Until a switch caused by the need to create separate COVID-19 bubbles for the senior and academy set-ups, United’s first-team squad were based in an older building at Shirecliffe that had been, in the days when the site was owned by local steel-making and engineering firm Forgemasters, a former working man’s club.
The move included the refurbishment of offices — including the one now occupied by Jokanovic — plus a lecture theatre where the players are shown video footage. Medical facilities were also improved as part of the switch to the more modern building that went up after United acquired the site in 2001 under former chairman Kevin McCabe.